CHAPTER SEVEN
Stuckeyville High School
Thursday, April 8, 2004
11:00 AM
The students filed slowly out of the auditorium. Few of them were anxious to get back to class and tried their best to linger in the hallways, only to get ordered to pick up their pace by the teachers walking behind them. Truth be told, the teachers weren't exactly anxious to get back to class either.
A trio of male students even tried to slip out of the exit that was at the back of the auditorium. They opened the door, only to be caught by Coach Kerwin, who told the students that they had a choice - get back inside and go to class, or stay after school and clean the baseball team's showers with toothbrushes. The students chose to return to class.
Nick Stanton and his wife, Heather, were in a large crowd off the right of the stage. The group consisted of a few students, a few teachers, and most of the school board. Molly was standing off to one side of the auditorium with Carol and Ed. Ed had wanted to attend, just to see what Nick had to say, but his appointment ran long and so he missed most of Nick's remarks. He had slipped in quietly during the applause and had made his way over to Carol.
"Well," Molly said, "that was '*interesting*'." Her sarcasm couldn't have been more obvious. Nick's speech was dull. Actually to call Nick's speech was an insult to 'dull'. 'Dull' was a fiesta in comparison.
"Did I miss much?" Ed asked.
"Nope," Carol said, "you didn't miss much. Same old boring Nick, telling the same old boring stories."
"You know," Molly said, "there are aspects of this job that I don't really care for. Sucking up to guys like Nick Stanton is one of them."
"Careful," Ed said and jerked his chin upwards to point behind Molly, "here he comes."
Molly turned to the side as Nick and Heather walked up. Carol also backed up slightly to make room for the Stantons.
"Hey, Ed!" Nick said as he walked up. "How are you?"
Nick pumped Ed's hand enthusiastically.
"I'm good, Nick," Ed replied. "I'd ask how are you, but it looks like you're doing well."
"Yeah, doing great," Nick said. "Ed, this my wife, Heather. Heather, this is Ed Stevens. Ed owns the local bowling alley and also runs a law practice from it."
"Pleased to meet you," Ed and Heather said in unison as they shook hands.
Ed shot a quick glance at Carol as he shook Heather's hand, startled at the resemblance between the two women. Carol had told Ed that Heather was an attractive blond a few years younger than her, but had not conveyed the strong likeness the two women shared.
"So," Nick said, "what did you think of my speech. Think it got the mindless masses geared up?"
"Absolutely," Molly said with false sincerity. "I'm sure they're all just raring to go."
Heather beamed at this praise of her husband. She clasped Nick's left hand in her right and used her left hand to squeeze his left arm. Carol's eyes narrowed as she watched Heather.
"So," Molly said, "what's up next for you Nick?"
"Well," Nick said, "we'll be leaving town tomorrow morning. Heading back to Connecticut for a few days. Then I've got some additional promotional trips to make for Small Town People. After that ..."
Carol had stepped closer to Ed while Nick was talking and took his hand in hers. Ed squeezed her hand gently to acknowledge the hand-holding.
"Don't forget," Heather said, sounding a little petulant, "you promised the kids and I a week in Myrtle Beach this summer!"
"Don't worry, babe," Nick said, "I didn't forget. I've got it covered."
Heather was mollified. She raised his left hand to her lips and kissed it as an apology for accusing him of forgetting. Nick smiled handsomely back at her.
Molly raised her eyebrows in surprise at the open display of affection, but said nothing. She also noticed that Carol slipped her arm around Ed's waist. Ed instinctively put his arm around Carol in response.
"So," Nick said, "how about one last dinner tonight before me and the family head out of town?"
Molly, Carol, and Ed looked at one another for an uncomfortable moment. Molly and Ed spoke at the same time.
"Sure, why not?" Ed said.
"Sorry, I can't," Molly said.
Ed looked surprised. He had thought Molly was going to agree and hadn't really intended to agree without her being there with he and Carol.
Nick looked between Ed and Molly for a moment, before Molly said, "Sorry. Dinner with my parents and, um, Shawn."
Carol's eyebrows shot up at that remark and she said, "Meeting the parents, huh?"
Molly blushed slightly. Nick and Heather looked confused, until Ed said, "Shawn is Molly's boyfriend. And I guess he's about to meet Molly's parents."
To Molly, Ed continued, "Big step. Shawn will do fine. Try not to embarrass him though."
Molly mock glared at Ed for a moment, then grinned.
"Well then ... I guess it will just be the four of us then," Nick said, dragging the conversation back around to *him*.
"Um, yeah," Ed said as he looked down at Carol, who was torn between making up an excuse and *still* wanting to show Nick how much she had changed.
"Great!" Nick said, oblivious to the tension in the air around Carol. "How about seven o'clock again." The question had been directed at Carol, who simply gave a jerky nod.
Nick held his hand out and said, "Molly, it was good seeing you. Take care."
Molly shook Nick's hand. Nick put an arm around his wife, pulled her close, planted a kiss on her forehead, then said, "Let's go, babe. See you two later."
With that, Nick swept his wife away and out the auditorium door, leaving Molly, Carol and Ed watching the door swing close. Molly noted with interest the way Carol's arm tightened around Ed's waist as she laid her head on his shoulder.
***
The Medical Office of Michael Burton, MD
Thursday, April 8, 2004
3:30 PM
Mike had a few minutes to himself in what was otherwise a very busy day. The morning had started off badly in terms of scheduling and it had taken until now to get things back on track. Of course, Dr. Victoria Parsons had been a huge part of getting the schedule back on track.
Which, of course, surprised the heck out of Mike. He had met with Victoria ... Vicky earlier and she had looked even younger than Mike had expected from her application. When Mike shook her hand while meeting her, he had felt like he was shaking hands with one of Nancy's high school students, almost certain that she wasn't going to work out at all. And yet after a day together seeing a variety of patients, he found her to be an excellent physician. She had an exceptional knowledge of medicine and a very comfortable manner with patients. And the fact that, unlike Mike's previous interviewees, she wasn't an obsessive neat-nick and she dressed rather professionally - not decked out in clown attire - only further impressed him
Mike stood up and stretched. He looked at his watch and decided it was time to bring in Mr. Vincent for his physical. Mike walked over and opened the door to his office, startling Vicky who had her hand raised, about to knock on the door.
"Oh, hey, Mike," Vicky said in her throaty contralto. "I was just about to get you for Mr. Vincent's physical."
Mike and Vicky started to head for Exam Room #2.
---
Nancy was almost to the entrance to the parking lot for Mike's office. She saw a car pull out of the lot driven but an older, bald gentleman with glasses.
She pulled into the driveway and looked for a spot. As usual, the lot was full and she had to wait for a women to back her car out of the parking spot. Nancy always hated the parking lot at Mike's office - it just didn't have enough spots and it always seemed like she was going to hit the other cars in the lot.
The woman finally finished backing up and pulled away. Nancy quickly pulled into the spot. She had decided on the spur of the moment to stop in and see how Mike was doing.
She was really happy that Mike was actually trying to find a partner, it would mean he could have more time at home. But the two candidates he'd interviewed so far had been real crackpots. She hoped this one was better. She couldn't remember which one Mike had in today.
She got out of the car and headed inside.
---
As Mike and Vicky got to Exam Room #2, Nancy walked around the corner.
"Hey, Nance," Mike said in surprise.
Nancy's stopped, startled to see Mike with Vicky, but then she finally remembered that Mike was having the young woman doctor in that day. Her eyes narrowed for a second as she noticed how attractive Vicky was.
"Hi, Mike," Nancy said as she walked towards Mike and Vicky.
"Nance," Mike said, "this is Vicky Parsons. Vicky, this is my wife, Nancy."
Nancy and Vicky shook hands. They exchanged pleasantries for a moment and Nancy noticed how exuberant and sincere Vicky seemed.
"So," Mike said, "what's up, Nance?"
"I was on my way home from school," Nancy said to Mike, "when I decided to stop in and see if you wanted chicken or pasta tonight. Wanted to stop at the store before I went home."
"How about both?" Mike said rubbing his stomach in anticipation.
Nancy chuckled, "Sure why not? There's a new recipe I've been meaning to try out and now's as good a time as any." Then she looked at Vicky and asked, "So, how do you like working with Mike?"
"I think Mike is just *brilliant*!" Vicky relied confidently. Mike beamed with pride.
Nancy was about to make a joke about how Vicky's comment was going to make Mike practically impossible to be around for the rest of the evening, when she suddenly noticed how the young woman was looking up at Mike in adoration. Nancy eyes narrowed. She suddenly didn't like Vicky Parsons very much.
"Hey! I'm not getting any healthier in here!" Mr. Vincent barked from the exam room.
"Oh," Mike said. "Ah, right. Sorry, honey. I guess we'd better get back to work." He quickly kissed her, then said, "I'll be home early tonight though."
"Great," Nancy said somewhat relieved, "see you later. It was, uh, nice meeting you Vicky."
"Yeah, you too!" Vicky said with the same cheerfulness as before.
Mike and Vicky started to move off, when Nancy said, "Oh, Mike. I forgot to ask, was Dr. Jerome in just a few minutes ago?"
"No," Mike said. "I don't think so. Why?"
"Oh, I thought I saw him leaving the parking lot," Nancy said. "You told me he got a new car, but I don't what kind of car it was. Guess maybe it wasn't him after all."
***
The home of Ed Stevens and Carol Vessey
Thursday, April 8, 2004
6:00 PM
Ed and Carol were getting ready to have dinner with Nick Stanton and his wife. Well, Ed was getting ready to have dinner with Nick Stanton and his wife. As far as Ed was concerned, the only thing Carol was getting ready for was a straight jacket. She was keyed up about dinner and was alternating between bitching at Ed for agreeing to meeting them for dinner and muttering about "looking her best".
Ed sort of understood what Carol was going through. 'I mean, after all, it is her ex-boyfriend of seven years,' he thought, then asked himself mentally, 'Was I this loopy when Liz came to town after our divorce?'
Ed threw on a clean pair of jeans and a nice oxford shirt. Carol was decked out in a pair of cream slacks and a cream and sage blouse with pearl jewelry. She looked over at Ed and said, "Is that what you're wearing?"
"Yes, it is," Ed said evenly. "Why? Are we trying to impress Nick and his wife?"
"Yes," Carol said, then quickly reversed herself, "no... well, maybe a little. I mean...oh, just forget it!"
Ed sighed and walked over to Carol. Since she had turned away from him, he wrapped his arms around her from behind and leaned in to kiss her right cheek.
"Carol," he said, "relax. I know that you want to 'show up' Nick...it's a natural reaction. But you have nothing to be ashamed of. You're healthy, you're beautiful, and - I hope - you're happy."
Carol sighed and Ed could feel some of the stiffness leave her body as she leaned backwards into him. "I know, I know," she said, "its just...I don't know. I guess I've just always felt inadequate around Nick - even when I was dating him. Now look at him. Another best seller on the book stands, a gorgeous wife and two cute as hell kids!"
Ed just looked at her. She continued, "I'm sorry. You're right, I have nothing to be ashamed of - least of all you."
She slipped out of Ed's embrace, stepped away and turned so she could see him. She looked him up and down for a moment and said with a smile, "You know what, you look great!"
As she stepped in to kiss him, she said, "And I AM happy, thanks to you!!"
They kissed for a few moments, before Carol broke away and said, "I guess we should get going. Wouldn't want to keep the great Nick Stanton waiting."
Ed smiled at Carol and then followed her out of the bedroom and downstairs.
***
The Smiling Goat
Thursday, April 8, 2004
7:00 PM
Ed and Carol got to the Smiling Goat right at seven o'clock. They walked inside and looked around. As they listened to the sounds of the jukebox, diners talking, and dishes clinking, they noted that Nick and Heather weren't there yet. They could see that "Nick's table" had a small reserved sign on it, though.
As they walked towards the table, they waved at Duncan, who nodded back at them as he filled a trio of mugs with beer from the tap. As they sat at the table reserved for Nick, they saw him and Heather enter the Goat. It took Nick and Heather a few minutes to make it over to the table as various people stopped Nick and spoke with him.
Finally, Nick and Heather made it to the table and sat down while the foursome traded greetings. They reviewed their menus in silence. After the waitress took their orders, there was a moment of silence. It was Nick, of course, who broke the silence.
"So, Ed," Nick said, "how have things been going? Bowling alley busy? Law practice hopping?"
"Well," Ed said, "the bowling alley is doing really well. As for the law practice, yeah, its busy enough. Sometimes too busy, but only in small stretches."
"Sometimes too busy, huh?" Nick said. "Why don't you think of hiring a partner?"
"Um," Ed said with a quick glance at Carol, "I had one for a little while, but it, uh ... it didn't work out in the long run."
Nick took a sip of his beer, then laid his left hand on the table. Heather placed her right hand on top of it.
Nick smiled at Heather for a moment, just as Carol slid closer to Ed and wrapped both of her arms around his right arm. Carol failed to notice that Ed had been about to pick up his beer with his right hand, but he smoothly switched to his left.
"You know," Nick began, "Carol mentioned the other day that you two were a couple, but I never got the story. So, how did it happen?"
Carol wanted to glare at Nick, but she maintained a bland expression. Ed looked at her and could tell that she was hiding something, but couldn't figure it out.
Nick, oblivious to anything outside himself as usual, continued, "How long after I left Stuckeyville did it take before you two got together. I'm betting about two weeks."
"Um," Ed said with a sidelong glance at Carol, "it was a little longer than that."
"What," Nick asked, "a few weeks? A couple of months?"
Heather leaned against Nick's shoulder for which he flashed another of his smiles at her. Carol reached up to slowly run her hand through the hair on the back of Ed's head. This momentarily distracted Ed, just as he was about to answer Nick's last question.
Ed recovered and said, "Longer than that. We didn't actually get together until last April."
"You're kidding!?" Nick said. "I figured that there was someone else Carol was interested in - and I was pretty sure it was you. I guess I was wrong."
"No, you were right," Carol said, really speaking for the first time. "I was interested in Ed. It wasn't why I split with you, but I was interested in Ed."
"Okay," Nick said, not really believing that Carol left him without someone else in the wings, "then why did it take so long for you two to get together?"
"It was ... complicated," Ed answered after a pause and a shared look with Carol.
"Sounds like it was ... *a wild ride*," Nick said with emphasis as he looked right at Ed.
Carol ground her teeth. She wasn't sure what Nick meant by the last comment, but she could tell that Nick *had* meant something by it. Carol felt Ed stiffen at Nick's comment, so Ed must have understood what Nick was trying to convey.
The rest of the evening was a trial for Carol. Once again, Nick started talking about himself, Heather, their kids and their "perfect little world" as Carol thought to herself acidly at one point.
As for Ed, he was sort of fascinated. He didn't know Nick as well as Carol did, nor had he heard the "saga of Nick Stanton" as Nick himself referred to it at one point. He found the stories and their self-centered nature entertaining. What Ed also found amusing was how affectionate Carol was that night. He knew intellectually that it was tied to Nick's presence, but he decided he would enjoy it rather than push the issue with Carol.
Although Ed had noticed that Heather was as openly affectionate with Nick as Carol was with him, he had *not* tumbled to the fact that it had turned into a competition between the two women.
It had started with a little hand-holding, progressed to heads leaning on shoulders, arms around waists, pecks on cheeks, and longing gazes - and got more overt as the evening wore on. At one point when Carol went to use the ladies' room, she gave Ed a quick, passionate kiss after he stood to let her out of the booth. Heather decided to go to the ladies' room at the same time and gave Nick a longer, more ... active kiss as he stood to let her out.
Heather returned to the table first. Ed suddenly said, "Excuse me, I think I will use the rest room myself."
Ed stood up and walked quickly towards the rest rooms. He walked into the hallway just as Carol was exiting the ladies' room. She was momentarily surprised to see him, but smiled at him.
"See you back at the table," Carol said and walked forward expecting Ed to move aside. She almost walked into him as he stood there looking at her.
"Ed!" Carol said, taking a step backward. "What's up with you?"
"Funny," Ed said, "I was going to ask you the same thing."
"What are you talking about?" Carol asked, but she already knew what he was talking about.
Ed knew she knew, so he just looked at her for a moment.
"Alright, alright," Carol said defensively, "I know its crazy! But that man is just driving me crazy. Everything is so perfect for him and he's sitting there judging me. I know he's not saying anything that sounds judgmental, but trust me, he is. I lived with him for seven years, so I think I know what he's doing."
Before Ed could say something, Carol glanced back towards their table. "Yeah," Carol continued *rapidly*, almost talking to herself, "he's judging me. Telling me that he thinks I don't have it as good as he does. He wants me to feel like he is doing just *SO* much better without me. But he's wrong. *I'm* the one who's better off without him - better *with you*. So, I decided to show him how much I love you. Its just a few touches, a few kisses, some glances. Just to show him that you mean more to me than he ever did."
She looked up at Ed a little doubtfully. 'Wow,' she thought, 'where did all of *THAT* come from? Feeling a little guilty are we, Carol? Oh well, can't do anything about it now. Look at him - he's just looking at me like I've grown another head.'
Carol saw Ed's mouth starting to move and she thought, 'Okay! Here it comes. He's going to tell me how silly I'm acting. That I don't have anything to prove to Nick - that its just in my head. And, dammit, I know he's right, but I can't stop myself!'
Ed stood there looking at Carol and absorbing her rant, before finally saying, "Okay."
"Okay?" Carol said confused. "Okay what?"
"Okay," Ed repeated. "What do you want me to do? Should we walk back to the table arm in arm laughing or just walk back to the table holding hands quietly? Once we're back I could sit on the inside, turned to the side a little and let you lean against my chest with my arms around you. Anything else?"
"You're serious?" Carol asked in shock. "You're not going to lecture me on how silly I am and that I should stop being so affectionate with you just to prove a point to Nick?"
"Nope," Ed said with a smile. "It may be silly, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. I'm willing - more than willing (Ed wiggled his eyebrows, eliciting a chuckle from Carol) - to help out."
Carol stepped closer, look in Ed's blue eyes and said, "Thank you." Then she gave Ed a kiss that left Heather's kiss to Nick in the dust. After a moment, the couple broke away, breathless.
They returned to the table, holding hands as they wound their way in between the tables. Heather's eyes narrowed slightly as she saw Ed and Carol holding hands. True to his word, Ed slid into the booth first and turned to the side as Carol sat down. When Carol slid over, Ed lifted his left arm up and let Carol snuggle up against his chest. Ed lowered his arm down across Carol. Carol placed her left hand on Ed's arm and smiled.
With Ed now playing along, Heather's attempts at topping Carol were doomed. It got to be very late and it looked as if Nick would go on forever. Heather had reached a point in her "competition" with Carol where any further escalation on her part (solo, since Nick wasn't playing along) could only have lead to public indecency and possible jail time.
Ed had suppressed a yawn for several minutes, but it finally could be held back no longer. He tried to hide the yawn behind his napkin, but Nick stopped in mid word in mild awe at the sheer intensity of the yawn Ed exhibited.
Nick looked at his watch - it was eleven o'clock!
"Wow," Nick said, "its late. Where did the time go?"
"Well," Carol said innocently, "when you've really warmed to a topic, you can lose all track of time."
Nick missed the sarcasm hidden in Carol's comment and said, "Yeah, I guess so."
"Well," Nick continued, "we should be going. Got to get to the airport in the morning and catch our plane. Its been good to be back in Stuckeyville, but I really do miss home."
They all stood - the dinner bill had been taken care of earlier so nothing was left except to say goodbye.
"It was good to see you, Carol," Nick said. "You too, Ed."
Carol nodded, not sure if she could make similar words sound sincere or not. Ed covered for her lack of verbal response by saying, "Yeah, it was good to see you too, Nick. And it was nice to meet you, Heather."
They all exchanged handshakes. Carol was momentarily terrified when it looked like Nick might try to kiss her, but he only took her hand.
They all left the Goat and got in their vehicles - Nick and Heather to head back to their hotel, Ed and Carol to head to their home.
There was little conversation between Ed and Carol during the drive home. Ed could see that Carol was in a thoughtful mood and just held her hand. Finally, as Ed turned onto their street, Carol said, "I was right wasn't I?"
"About what?" Ed asked.
"Nick Stanton is still a pompous ass." Carol stated.
"Yep," Ed said with a grin, "You were right."
Carol grinned back at him. But inwardly, her thoughts were still in the turmoil Nick's return had engendered. She still felt like something was missing - or wrong - with the relationship she had with Ed.
'*Are* we in the same place Nick and I had been?' she thought. 'Is it me? Or is it Ed?'
Stuckeyville High School
Thursday, April 8, 2004
11:00 AM
The students filed slowly out of the auditorium. Few of them were anxious to get back to class and tried their best to linger in the hallways, only to get ordered to pick up their pace by the teachers walking behind them. Truth be told, the teachers weren't exactly anxious to get back to class either.
A trio of male students even tried to slip out of the exit that was at the back of the auditorium. They opened the door, only to be caught by Coach Kerwin, who told the students that they had a choice - get back inside and go to class, or stay after school and clean the baseball team's showers with toothbrushes. The students chose to return to class.
Nick Stanton and his wife, Heather, were in a large crowd off the right of the stage. The group consisted of a few students, a few teachers, and most of the school board. Molly was standing off to one side of the auditorium with Carol and Ed. Ed had wanted to attend, just to see what Nick had to say, but his appointment ran long and so he missed most of Nick's remarks. He had slipped in quietly during the applause and had made his way over to Carol.
"Well," Molly said, "that was '*interesting*'." Her sarcasm couldn't have been more obvious. Nick's speech was dull. Actually to call Nick's speech was an insult to 'dull'. 'Dull' was a fiesta in comparison.
"Did I miss much?" Ed asked.
"Nope," Carol said, "you didn't miss much. Same old boring Nick, telling the same old boring stories."
"You know," Molly said, "there are aspects of this job that I don't really care for. Sucking up to guys like Nick Stanton is one of them."
"Careful," Ed said and jerked his chin upwards to point behind Molly, "here he comes."
Molly turned to the side as Nick and Heather walked up. Carol also backed up slightly to make room for the Stantons.
"Hey, Ed!" Nick said as he walked up. "How are you?"
Nick pumped Ed's hand enthusiastically.
"I'm good, Nick," Ed replied. "I'd ask how are you, but it looks like you're doing well."
"Yeah, doing great," Nick said. "Ed, this my wife, Heather. Heather, this is Ed Stevens. Ed owns the local bowling alley and also runs a law practice from it."
"Pleased to meet you," Ed and Heather said in unison as they shook hands.
Ed shot a quick glance at Carol as he shook Heather's hand, startled at the resemblance between the two women. Carol had told Ed that Heather was an attractive blond a few years younger than her, but had not conveyed the strong likeness the two women shared.
"So," Nick said, "what did you think of my speech. Think it got the mindless masses geared up?"
"Absolutely," Molly said with false sincerity. "I'm sure they're all just raring to go."
Heather beamed at this praise of her husband. She clasped Nick's left hand in her right and used her left hand to squeeze his left arm. Carol's eyes narrowed as she watched Heather.
"So," Molly said, "what's up next for you Nick?"
"Well," Nick said, "we'll be leaving town tomorrow morning. Heading back to Connecticut for a few days. Then I've got some additional promotional trips to make for Small Town People. After that ..."
Carol had stepped closer to Ed while Nick was talking and took his hand in hers. Ed squeezed her hand gently to acknowledge the hand-holding.
"Don't forget," Heather said, sounding a little petulant, "you promised the kids and I a week in Myrtle Beach this summer!"
"Don't worry, babe," Nick said, "I didn't forget. I've got it covered."
Heather was mollified. She raised his left hand to her lips and kissed it as an apology for accusing him of forgetting. Nick smiled handsomely back at her.
Molly raised her eyebrows in surprise at the open display of affection, but said nothing. She also noticed that Carol slipped her arm around Ed's waist. Ed instinctively put his arm around Carol in response.
"So," Nick said, "how about one last dinner tonight before me and the family head out of town?"
Molly, Carol, and Ed looked at one another for an uncomfortable moment. Molly and Ed spoke at the same time.
"Sure, why not?" Ed said.
"Sorry, I can't," Molly said.
Ed looked surprised. He had thought Molly was going to agree and hadn't really intended to agree without her being there with he and Carol.
Nick looked between Ed and Molly for a moment, before Molly said, "Sorry. Dinner with my parents and, um, Shawn."
Carol's eyebrows shot up at that remark and she said, "Meeting the parents, huh?"
Molly blushed slightly. Nick and Heather looked confused, until Ed said, "Shawn is Molly's boyfriend. And I guess he's about to meet Molly's parents."
To Molly, Ed continued, "Big step. Shawn will do fine. Try not to embarrass him though."
Molly mock glared at Ed for a moment, then grinned.
"Well then ... I guess it will just be the four of us then," Nick said, dragging the conversation back around to *him*.
"Um, yeah," Ed said as he looked down at Carol, who was torn between making up an excuse and *still* wanting to show Nick how much she had changed.
"Great!" Nick said, oblivious to the tension in the air around Carol. "How about seven o'clock again." The question had been directed at Carol, who simply gave a jerky nod.
Nick held his hand out and said, "Molly, it was good seeing you. Take care."
Molly shook Nick's hand. Nick put an arm around his wife, pulled her close, planted a kiss on her forehead, then said, "Let's go, babe. See you two later."
With that, Nick swept his wife away and out the auditorium door, leaving Molly, Carol and Ed watching the door swing close. Molly noted with interest the way Carol's arm tightened around Ed's waist as she laid her head on his shoulder.
***
The Medical Office of Michael Burton, MD
Thursday, April 8, 2004
3:30 PM
Mike had a few minutes to himself in what was otherwise a very busy day. The morning had started off badly in terms of scheduling and it had taken until now to get things back on track. Of course, Dr. Victoria Parsons had been a huge part of getting the schedule back on track.
Which, of course, surprised the heck out of Mike. He had met with Victoria ... Vicky earlier and she had looked even younger than Mike had expected from her application. When Mike shook her hand while meeting her, he had felt like he was shaking hands with one of Nancy's high school students, almost certain that she wasn't going to work out at all. And yet after a day together seeing a variety of patients, he found her to be an excellent physician. She had an exceptional knowledge of medicine and a very comfortable manner with patients. And the fact that, unlike Mike's previous interviewees, she wasn't an obsessive neat-nick and she dressed rather professionally - not decked out in clown attire - only further impressed him
Mike stood up and stretched. He looked at his watch and decided it was time to bring in Mr. Vincent for his physical. Mike walked over and opened the door to his office, startling Vicky who had her hand raised, about to knock on the door.
"Oh, hey, Mike," Vicky said in her throaty contralto. "I was just about to get you for Mr. Vincent's physical."
Mike and Vicky started to head for Exam Room #2.
---
Nancy was almost to the entrance to the parking lot for Mike's office. She saw a car pull out of the lot driven but an older, bald gentleman with glasses.
She pulled into the driveway and looked for a spot. As usual, the lot was full and she had to wait for a women to back her car out of the parking spot. Nancy always hated the parking lot at Mike's office - it just didn't have enough spots and it always seemed like she was going to hit the other cars in the lot.
The woman finally finished backing up and pulled away. Nancy quickly pulled into the spot. She had decided on the spur of the moment to stop in and see how Mike was doing.
She was really happy that Mike was actually trying to find a partner, it would mean he could have more time at home. But the two candidates he'd interviewed so far had been real crackpots. She hoped this one was better. She couldn't remember which one Mike had in today.
She got out of the car and headed inside.
---
As Mike and Vicky got to Exam Room #2, Nancy walked around the corner.
"Hey, Nance," Mike said in surprise.
Nancy's stopped, startled to see Mike with Vicky, but then she finally remembered that Mike was having the young woman doctor in that day. Her eyes narrowed for a second as she noticed how attractive Vicky was.
"Hi, Mike," Nancy said as she walked towards Mike and Vicky.
"Nance," Mike said, "this is Vicky Parsons. Vicky, this is my wife, Nancy."
Nancy and Vicky shook hands. They exchanged pleasantries for a moment and Nancy noticed how exuberant and sincere Vicky seemed.
"So," Mike said, "what's up, Nance?"
"I was on my way home from school," Nancy said to Mike, "when I decided to stop in and see if you wanted chicken or pasta tonight. Wanted to stop at the store before I went home."
"How about both?" Mike said rubbing his stomach in anticipation.
Nancy chuckled, "Sure why not? There's a new recipe I've been meaning to try out and now's as good a time as any." Then she looked at Vicky and asked, "So, how do you like working with Mike?"
"I think Mike is just *brilliant*!" Vicky relied confidently. Mike beamed with pride.
Nancy was about to make a joke about how Vicky's comment was going to make Mike practically impossible to be around for the rest of the evening, when she suddenly noticed how the young woman was looking up at Mike in adoration. Nancy eyes narrowed. She suddenly didn't like Vicky Parsons very much.
"Hey! I'm not getting any healthier in here!" Mr. Vincent barked from the exam room.
"Oh," Mike said. "Ah, right. Sorry, honey. I guess we'd better get back to work." He quickly kissed her, then said, "I'll be home early tonight though."
"Great," Nancy said somewhat relieved, "see you later. It was, uh, nice meeting you Vicky."
"Yeah, you too!" Vicky said with the same cheerfulness as before.
Mike and Vicky started to move off, when Nancy said, "Oh, Mike. I forgot to ask, was Dr. Jerome in just a few minutes ago?"
"No," Mike said. "I don't think so. Why?"
"Oh, I thought I saw him leaving the parking lot," Nancy said. "You told me he got a new car, but I don't what kind of car it was. Guess maybe it wasn't him after all."
***
The home of Ed Stevens and Carol Vessey
Thursday, April 8, 2004
6:00 PM
Ed and Carol were getting ready to have dinner with Nick Stanton and his wife. Well, Ed was getting ready to have dinner with Nick Stanton and his wife. As far as Ed was concerned, the only thing Carol was getting ready for was a straight jacket. She was keyed up about dinner and was alternating between bitching at Ed for agreeing to meeting them for dinner and muttering about "looking her best".
Ed sort of understood what Carol was going through. 'I mean, after all, it is her ex-boyfriend of seven years,' he thought, then asked himself mentally, 'Was I this loopy when Liz came to town after our divorce?'
Ed threw on a clean pair of jeans and a nice oxford shirt. Carol was decked out in a pair of cream slacks and a cream and sage blouse with pearl jewelry. She looked over at Ed and said, "Is that what you're wearing?"
"Yes, it is," Ed said evenly. "Why? Are we trying to impress Nick and his wife?"
"Yes," Carol said, then quickly reversed herself, "no... well, maybe a little. I mean...oh, just forget it!"
Ed sighed and walked over to Carol. Since she had turned away from him, he wrapped his arms around her from behind and leaned in to kiss her right cheek.
"Carol," he said, "relax. I know that you want to 'show up' Nick...it's a natural reaction. But you have nothing to be ashamed of. You're healthy, you're beautiful, and - I hope - you're happy."
Carol sighed and Ed could feel some of the stiffness leave her body as she leaned backwards into him. "I know, I know," she said, "its just...I don't know. I guess I've just always felt inadequate around Nick - even when I was dating him. Now look at him. Another best seller on the book stands, a gorgeous wife and two cute as hell kids!"
Ed just looked at her. She continued, "I'm sorry. You're right, I have nothing to be ashamed of - least of all you."
She slipped out of Ed's embrace, stepped away and turned so she could see him. She looked him up and down for a moment and said with a smile, "You know what, you look great!"
As she stepped in to kiss him, she said, "And I AM happy, thanks to you!!"
They kissed for a few moments, before Carol broke away and said, "I guess we should get going. Wouldn't want to keep the great Nick Stanton waiting."
Ed smiled at Carol and then followed her out of the bedroom and downstairs.
***
The Smiling Goat
Thursday, April 8, 2004
7:00 PM
Ed and Carol got to the Smiling Goat right at seven o'clock. They walked inside and looked around. As they listened to the sounds of the jukebox, diners talking, and dishes clinking, they noted that Nick and Heather weren't there yet. They could see that "Nick's table" had a small reserved sign on it, though.
As they walked towards the table, they waved at Duncan, who nodded back at them as he filled a trio of mugs with beer from the tap. As they sat at the table reserved for Nick, they saw him and Heather enter the Goat. It took Nick and Heather a few minutes to make it over to the table as various people stopped Nick and spoke with him.
Finally, Nick and Heather made it to the table and sat down while the foursome traded greetings. They reviewed their menus in silence. After the waitress took their orders, there was a moment of silence. It was Nick, of course, who broke the silence.
"So, Ed," Nick said, "how have things been going? Bowling alley busy? Law practice hopping?"
"Well," Ed said, "the bowling alley is doing really well. As for the law practice, yeah, its busy enough. Sometimes too busy, but only in small stretches."
"Sometimes too busy, huh?" Nick said. "Why don't you think of hiring a partner?"
"Um," Ed said with a quick glance at Carol, "I had one for a little while, but it, uh ... it didn't work out in the long run."
Nick took a sip of his beer, then laid his left hand on the table. Heather placed her right hand on top of it.
Nick smiled at Heather for a moment, just as Carol slid closer to Ed and wrapped both of her arms around his right arm. Carol failed to notice that Ed had been about to pick up his beer with his right hand, but he smoothly switched to his left.
"You know," Nick began, "Carol mentioned the other day that you two were a couple, but I never got the story. So, how did it happen?"
Carol wanted to glare at Nick, but she maintained a bland expression. Ed looked at her and could tell that she was hiding something, but couldn't figure it out.
Nick, oblivious to anything outside himself as usual, continued, "How long after I left Stuckeyville did it take before you two got together. I'm betting about two weeks."
"Um," Ed said with a sidelong glance at Carol, "it was a little longer than that."
"What," Nick asked, "a few weeks? A couple of months?"
Heather leaned against Nick's shoulder for which he flashed another of his smiles at her. Carol reached up to slowly run her hand through the hair on the back of Ed's head. This momentarily distracted Ed, just as he was about to answer Nick's last question.
Ed recovered and said, "Longer than that. We didn't actually get together until last April."
"You're kidding!?" Nick said. "I figured that there was someone else Carol was interested in - and I was pretty sure it was you. I guess I was wrong."
"No, you were right," Carol said, really speaking for the first time. "I was interested in Ed. It wasn't why I split with you, but I was interested in Ed."
"Okay," Nick said, not really believing that Carol left him without someone else in the wings, "then why did it take so long for you two to get together?"
"It was ... complicated," Ed answered after a pause and a shared look with Carol.
"Sounds like it was ... *a wild ride*," Nick said with emphasis as he looked right at Ed.
Carol ground her teeth. She wasn't sure what Nick meant by the last comment, but she could tell that Nick *had* meant something by it. Carol felt Ed stiffen at Nick's comment, so Ed must have understood what Nick was trying to convey.
The rest of the evening was a trial for Carol. Once again, Nick started talking about himself, Heather, their kids and their "perfect little world" as Carol thought to herself acidly at one point.
As for Ed, he was sort of fascinated. He didn't know Nick as well as Carol did, nor had he heard the "saga of Nick Stanton" as Nick himself referred to it at one point. He found the stories and their self-centered nature entertaining. What Ed also found amusing was how affectionate Carol was that night. He knew intellectually that it was tied to Nick's presence, but he decided he would enjoy it rather than push the issue with Carol.
Although Ed had noticed that Heather was as openly affectionate with Nick as Carol was with him, he had *not* tumbled to the fact that it had turned into a competition between the two women.
It had started with a little hand-holding, progressed to heads leaning on shoulders, arms around waists, pecks on cheeks, and longing gazes - and got more overt as the evening wore on. At one point when Carol went to use the ladies' room, she gave Ed a quick, passionate kiss after he stood to let her out of the booth. Heather decided to go to the ladies' room at the same time and gave Nick a longer, more ... active kiss as he stood to let her out.
Heather returned to the table first. Ed suddenly said, "Excuse me, I think I will use the rest room myself."
Ed stood up and walked quickly towards the rest rooms. He walked into the hallway just as Carol was exiting the ladies' room. She was momentarily surprised to see him, but smiled at him.
"See you back at the table," Carol said and walked forward expecting Ed to move aside. She almost walked into him as he stood there looking at her.
"Ed!" Carol said, taking a step backward. "What's up with you?"
"Funny," Ed said, "I was going to ask you the same thing."
"What are you talking about?" Carol asked, but she already knew what he was talking about.
Ed knew she knew, so he just looked at her for a moment.
"Alright, alright," Carol said defensively, "I know its crazy! But that man is just driving me crazy. Everything is so perfect for him and he's sitting there judging me. I know he's not saying anything that sounds judgmental, but trust me, he is. I lived with him for seven years, so I think I know what he's doing."
Before Ed could say something, Carol glanced back towards their table. "Yeah," Carol continued *rapidly*, almost talking to herself, "he's judging me. Telling me that he thinks I don't have it as good as he does. He wants me to feel like he is doing just *SO* much better without me. But he's wrong. *I'm* the one who's better off without him - better *with you*. So, I decided to show him how much I love you. Its just a few touches, a few kisses, some glances. Just to show him that you mean more to me than he ever did."
She looked up at Ed a little doubtfully. 'Wow,' she thought, 'where did all of *THAT* come from? Feeling a little guilty are we, Carol? Oh well, can't do anything about it now. Look at him - he's just looking at me like I've grown another head.'
Carol saw Ed's mouth starting to move and she thought, 'Okay! Here it comes. He's going to tell me how silly I'm acting. That I don't have anything to prove to Nick - that its just in my head. And, dammit, I know he's right, but I can't stop myself!'
Ed stood there looking at Carol and absorbing her rant, before finally saying, "Okay."
"Okay?" Carol said confused. "Okay what?"
"Okay," Ed repeated. "What do you want me to do? Should we walk back to the table arm in arm laughing or just walk back to the table holding hands quietly? Once we're back I could sit on the inside, turned to the side a little and let you lean against my chest with my arms around you. Anything else?"
"You're serious?" Carol asked in shock. "You're not going to lecture me on how silly I am and that I should stop being so affectionate with you just to prove a point to Nick?"
"Nope," Ed said with a smile. "It may be silly, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. I'm willing - more than willing (Ed wiggled his eyebrows, eliciting a chuckle from Carol) - to help out."
Carol stepped closer, look in Ed's blue eyes and said, "Thank you." Then she gave Ed a kiss that left Heather's kiss to Nick in the dust. After a moment, the couple broke away, breathless.
They returned to the table, holding hands as they wound their way in between the tables. Heather's eyes narrowed slightly as she saw Ed and Carol holding hands. True to his word, Ed slid into the booth first and turned to the side as Carol sat down. When Carol slid over, Ed lifted his left arm up and let Carol snuggle up against his chest. Ed lowered his arm down across Carol. Carol placed her left hand on Ed's arm and smiled.
With Ed now playing along, Heather's attempts at topping Carol were doomed. It got to be very late and it looked as if Nick would go on forever. Heather had reached a point in her "competition" with Carol where any further escalation on her part (solo, since Nick wasn't playing along) could only have lead to public indecency and possible jail time.
Ed had suppressed a yawn for several minutes, but it finally could be held back no longer. He tried to hide the yawn behind his napkin, but Nick stopped in mid word in mild awe at the sheer intensity of the yawn Ed exhibited.
Nick looked at his watch - it was eleven o'clock!
"Wow," Nick said, "its late. Where did the time go?"
"Well," Carol said innocently, "when you've really warmed to a topic, you can lose all track of time."
Nick missed the sarcasm hidden in Carol's comment and said, "Yeah, I guess so."
"Well," Nick continued, "we should be going. Got to get to the airport in the morning and catch our plane. Its been good to be back in Stuckeyville, but I really do miss home."
They all stood - the dinner bill had been taken care of earlier so nothing was left except to say goodbye.
"It was good to see you, Carol," Nick said. "You too, Ed."
Carol nodded, not sure if she could make similar words sound sincere or not. Ed covered for her lack of verbal response by saying, "Yeah, it was good to see you too, Nick. And it was nice to meet you, Heather."
They all exchanged handshakes. Carol was momentarily terrified when it looked like Nick might try to kiss her, but he only took her hand.
They all left the Goat and got in their vehicles - Nick and Heather to head back to their hotel, Ed and Carol to head to their home.
There was little conversation between Ed and Carol during the drive home. Ed could see that Carol was in a thoughtful mood and just held her hand. Finally, as Ed turned onto their street, Carol said, "I was right wasn't I?"
"About what?" Ed asked.
"Nick Stanton is still a pompous ass." Carol stated.
"Yep," Ed said with a grin, "You were right."
Carol grinned back at him. But inwardly, her thoughts were still in the turmoil Nick's return had engendered. She still felt like something was missing - or wrong - with the relationship she had with Ed.
'*Are* we in the same place Nick and I had been?' she thought. 'Is it me? Or is it Ed?'