Disclaimer: I don't own Mort Rainey or any other characters from the movie
"Secret Window".
Mort spent a few hours on the couch, taking a nap. Then around five 'o' clock decided that he should get up and get ready for dinner. He crawled into the shower, something out of the ordinary for him. Although he didn't want to take a shower, when the hot steamy water hit his chest it revived him. He was instantaneously energized. He felt good about dinner that night. He needed to get out of the house for a bit and this was the opportunity to do so.
While thinking in the shower, it dawned on him that he didn't finish reading her story. He shut the water off, grabbed the closest towel and began drying off. He threw on a pair of tattered but not tacky looking jeans, a muscle tank top, and then a turtle-neck.
He made his way down the stairs and to the table where her story sat. He sat down, only to get right back up. He walked into the kitchen and retrieved a Mountain Dew from the fridge, made his way back to the couch, sat down and picked up the story.
"I only have half an hour to read this." He said opening the binder. "I should finish it by then." he began reading, turning each page with more anticipation. Just as his clock struck six, he finished the final page. "There done. And boy was that a good story."
He set the binder down on the table again, took the last swig of Mountain Dew, just as her heard a car making its way down the gravel path.
Mort looked up at the sky, it was getting dark but it was going to be a stormy night, this he could tell. She parked the car, got out and locked it. She walked over to the porch and was greeted by the mysterious author she admired.
"Evenin' Miss Elyse." Mort said in that rich southern accent he had so well perfected.
"Good evening to you too." She replied. "And where are we off to tonight?"
"Well, I thought I'd take you to a mighty fine restaurant in town. Is that fine by you?" He was having fun with this. This voice, the voice that tormented him just a few months ago seemed to soothe him. Especially when she was around.
"Sounds fantastic. You sure you want to drive. Because I don't mind driving if that sounds better." She was trying very hard not to laugh. The accent he was using sounded familiar, but then again her mother's side of the family was dairy farmers from the heart of Mississippi.
"Nope missy, I'll drive. You ready to go?" He motioned her towards the car, opening the door for her.
"Of course I'm ready. And thank you for getting the door." She said climbing in the Jeep. He shut the door behind her and made his way to the driver's side.
"Okay, now we're off." He said, putting the key in the ignition and backing out of the drive.
"Aw, what happened to southern Mort? I liked the accent." She said trying to pout.
"Oh, he is taking a nap right now. I thought it best to leave him at home." Mort said, obviously trying to think of something funny.
"Oh I see. Was he a good boy today?" She asked, trying to keep small talk.
"Well, he was so-so. He wasn't really good but he wasn't that bad either. It's just that at night he can get a little wild." This was the end of that discussion as Mort started another. "So, are you from around here?"
"Actually no. My family moved to Texas from Boston not to long ago. I decided that I would go with them. A few months ago I read your book. While reading it a friend and I were planning a trip to Boston for a week. After I finished your book I knew I had to meet you. So, my friend is in Boston scamming guys and I'm here with you."
"Oh, okay. Have you ever been here before?" he asked wondering if this scenery was new to her.
"No, never been here before. But I absolutely love it up north. The trees turning color in the fall, snow in the winter, the first bud of spring, and those walks to the beach during the summer. Oh those were the days." She sat there looking as if she was day dreaming. Mort enjoyed seeing her this way. It was kind of soothing, relaxing.
"We're here." he said pulling up to the little restaurant. He got out of the car and she did the same. He led her into the place where they were greeted by a few odd looks.
Mort, who was used to this sort of thing didn't even notice. But Elyse, who had never experienced looks like these, felt a bit uncomfortable. They were quickly seated and given menus. They ordered their drinks first and began the task of deciding what to order.
When they both made up their minds, they called the waitress over and ordered.
"Yes, I'll have the Chicken Primavera." Elyse ordered. "With a Caesar salad on the side."
"Sounds good to me. Make that two." Mort ordered and the waitress was off. "So, tell me a little bit about your family background." He asked her taking a sip of his drink.
"Well, my mom's side of the family is Mississippi dairy farmers." She was utterly surprised when Mort spit his drink all over the table.
"Oh my! I'm so sorry Elyse! I didn't mean to do that. It was an accident." He said trying to clean up a little.
Lucky for her she didn't really get any on herself. "It's fine. Here let me help." She said picking up a napkin and cleaning off some of the table. "It's not that big of a deal."
He finished cleaning himself off. "So, you were saying about your mother's side of the family. They were dairy farmers form Mississippi." He stuttered on the words, unable to comprehend this.
"Yeah, my dad's side of the family is spread out across the country and consists of everything from stock brokers to Wal-Mart employees." She let out a small laugh.
The waitress was bringing out their food in no time at all. She place the plates and bowls in front of them. "Enjoy." She said walking away from the table.
Elyse couldn't help but notice that people were still staring. "Mort, I'm having a great time." She told him.
"Me too. This is the first time in a while that I have been out, and it feels great." He was stating the truth. He was really enjoying getting to know her better.
"But I do have one question. And that is: why is everyone casting you really weird looks?" she put down her fork and picked up her drink.
"Well, it's because I haven't been out since my wife and I split up. Then when she and Ted, her lover, were murdered but never found I once again strayed into my writing. Therefore cutting me off from all civilization." He continued to eat, looking down at his food. Then he glanced up at her, smiled, and continued eating.
"Oh okay, that would explain it." They ate in silence, both very hungry. When they finished Mort paid the check and they left.
"Thank you so much for dinner. It was wonderful." She said pulling her coat closer to her, for the wind was very chilly. They got to the car; he turned the key in the ignition and then he turned the heat on low. The car began to become toasty.
He back out and drove to his house on the lake. When he stopped he got out of the car and opened the door for her.
"Thank you." She said taking his hand and hoping out.
"Your welcome. Can I interest you in a cup of coffee or tea? Or do you have to leave?" he asked closing the car door.
"Well...I guess one cup won't hurt." She followed him inside the house and into the kitchen. He got a tea pot out to make tea. Within ten minutes they were in the living room on the couch drinking tea and talking.
Her one cup turned into three then four and eventually it hit seven. Before she knew it she was waking up wrapped in Mort's arms sometime around 9:30 in the morning. Her phone was vibrating in her pocket and she reached for it. It was her friend who was in Boston.
"Hey Stephanie." Elyse said, her voice hoarse.
"Where are you?!" Stephanie definitely sounded worried. "Gone all night?"
"Yes, I was gone all night though I never intended to be." Elyse was trying to whisper so she wouldn't wake Mort. After all, he looks so peaceful when he sleeps.
"What do you mean you didn't intend to? You were obviously gone somewhere. Please tell me you didn't get drunk and pass out somewhere."
"No. I went to that author's house remember. We went out to dinner, then back to his place for tea. Well, I said I'd have one cup and that turned into like seven cups. We fell asleep talking on the couch." She smiled as she remembered last night. It made her happy to feel secure around someone.
She felt Mort begin to stir. "Look, I'll call you back in a few, okay?"
"Alright, bye." Her friend hung up, and so did she.
"Who are you talking to?" Mort asked, trying to open his eyes.
"My friend in Boston. She was worried about me and I told her I was fine."
"Oh, okay. We should probably be getting up anyways." He realizes for the first time that his arms had been wrapped around her waist. "Oh sorry." He said blushing. Then he realized that she hadn't said anything till then about it.
"Don't worry about it." They both got up from the couch. "Well, I should go back into town for now. Let me know if you want to do anything else. I can always make my trip longer." She grabbed her bag and opened the door.
"Elyse, wait I want to get your number." He said grabbing a pen and paper.
"Okay, 555-8988." She said.
"Thanks. I'll definitely be calling you." She walked out the door onto the screen porch. He came up behind her, slipping his arm around her waist. She turned to look him in the eyes. Just at that moment he kissed her. It was the most passionate kiss she ever had before. She succumbed to his every desire. She kissed him back not moving from her spot. In fact, she wouldn't be leaving for a little bit.
A/N: Hey there! I hope this chapter is good. Please review and let me know. I know it is long but I just couldn't stop writing. The next few won't be as long.
Mort spent a few hours on the couch, taking a nap. Then around five 'o' clock decided that he should get up and get ready for dinner. He crawled into the shower, something out of the ordinary for him. Although he didn't want to take a shower, when the hot steamy water hit his chest it revived him. He was instantaneously energized. He felt good about dinner that night. He needed to get out of the house for a bit and this was the opportunity to do so.
While thinking in the shower, it dawned on him that he didn't finish reading her story. He shut the water off, grabbed the closest towel and began drying off. He threw on a pair of tattered but not tacky looking jeans, a muscle tank top, and then a turtle-neck.
He made his way down the stairs and to the table where her story sat. He sat down, only to get right back up. He walked into the kitchen and retrieved a Mountain Dew from the fridge, made his way back to the couch, sat down and picked up the story.
"I only have half an hour to read this." He said opening the binder. "I should finish it by then." he began reading, turning each page with more anticipation. Just as his clock struck six, he finished the final page. "There done. And boy was that a good story."
He set the binder down on the table again, took the last swig of Mountain Dew, just as her heard a car making its way down the gravel path.
Mort looked up at the sky, it was getting dark but it was going to be a stormy night, this he could tell. She parked the car, got out and locked it. She walked over to the porch and was greeted by the mysterious author she admired.
"Evenin' Miss Elyse." Mort said in that rich southern accent he had so well perfected.
"Good evening to you too." She replied. "And where are we off to tonight?"
"Well, I thought I'd take you to a mighty fine restaurant in town. Is that fine by you?" He was having fun with this. This voice, the voice that tormented him just a few months ago seemed to soothe him. Especially when she was around.
"Sounds fantastic. You sure you want to drive. Because I don't mind driving if that sounds better." She was trying very hard not to laugh. The accent he was using sounded familiar, but then again her mother's side of the family was dairy farmers from the heart of Mississippi.
"Nope missy, I'll drive. You ready to go?" He motioned her towards the car, opening the door for her.
"Of course I'm ready. And thank you for getting the door." She said climbing in the Jeep. He shut the door behind her and made his way to the driver's side.
"Okay, now we're off." He said, putting the key in the ignition and backing out of the drive.
"Aw, what happened to southern Mort? I liked the accent." She said trying to pout.
"Oh, he is taking a nap right now. I thought it best to leave him at home." Mort said, obviously trying to think of something funny.
"Oh I see. Was he a good boy today?" She asked, trying to keep small talk.
"Well, he was so-so. He wasn't really good but he wasn't that bad either. It's just that at night he can get a little wild." This was the end of that discussion as Mort started another. "So, are you from around here?"
"Actually no. My family moved to Texas from Boston not to long ago. I decided that I would go with them. A few months ago I read your book. While reading it a friend and I were planning a trip to Boston for a week. After I finished your book I knew I had to meet you. So, my friend is in Boston scamming guys and I'm here with you."
"Oh, okay. Have you ever been here before?" he asked wondering if this scenery was new to her.
"No, never been here before. But I absolutely love it up north. The trees turning color in the fall, snow in the winter, the first bud of spring, and those walks to the beach during the summer. Oh those were the days." She sat there looking as if she was day dreaming. Mort enjoyed seeing her this way. It was kind of soothing, relaxing.
"We're here." he said pulling up to the little restaurant. He got out of the car and she did the same. He led her into the place where they were greeted by a few odd looks.
Mort, who was used to this sort of thing didn't even notice. But Elyse, who had never experienced looks like these, felt a bit uncomfortable. They were quickly seated and given menus. They ordered their drinks first and began the task of deciding what to order.
When they both made up their minds, they called the waitress over and ordered.
"Yes, I'll have the Chicken Primavera." Elyse ordered. "With a Caesar salad on the side."
"Sounds good to me. Make that two." Mort ordered and the waitress was off. "So, tell me a little bit about your family background." He asked her taking a sip of his drink.
"Well, my mom's side of the family is Mississippi dairy farmers." She was utterly surprised when Mort spit his drink all over the table.
"Oh my! I'm so sorry Elyse! I didn't mean to do that. It was an accident." He said trying to clean up a little.
Lucky for her she didn't really get any on herself. "It's fine. Here let me help." She said picking up a napkin and cleaning off some of the table. "It's not that big of a deal."
He finished cleaning himself off. "So, you were saying about your mother's side of the family. They were dairy farmers form Mississippi." He stuttered on the words, unable to comprehend this.
"Yeah, my dad's side of the family is spread out across the country and consists of everything from stock brokers to Wal-Mart employees." She let out a small laugh.
The waitress was bringing out their food in no time at all. She place the plates and bowls in front of them. "Enjoy." She said walking away from the table.
Elyse couldn't help but notice that people were still staring. "Mort, I'm having a great time." She told him.
"Me too. This is the first time in a while that I have been out, and it feels great." He was stating the truth. He was really enjoying getting to know her better.
"But I do have one question. And that is: why is everyone casting you really weird looks?" she put down her fork and picked up her drink.
"Well, it's because I haven't been out since my wife and I split up. Then when she and Ted, her lover, were murdered but never found I once again strayed into my writing. Therefore cutting me off from all civilization." He continued to eat, looking down at his food. Then he glanced up at her, smiled, and continued eating.
"Oh okay, that would explain it." They ate in silence, both very hungry. When they finished Mort paid the check and they left.
"Thank you so much for dinner. It was wonderful." She said pulling her coat closer to her, for the wind was very chilly. They got to the car; he turned the key in the ignition and then he turned the heat on low. The car began to become toasty.
He back out and drove to his house on the lake. When he stopped he got out of the car and opened the door for her.
"Thank you." She said taking his hand and hoping out.
"Your welcome. Can I interest you in a cup of coffee or tea? Or do you have to leave?" he asked closing the car door.
"Well...I guess one cup won't hurt." She followed him inside the house and into the kitchen. He got a tea pot out to make tea. Within ten minutes they were in the living room on the couch drinking tea and talking.
Her one cup turned into three then four and eventually it hit seven. Before she knew it she was waking up wrapped in Mort's arms sometime around 9:30 in the morning. Her phone was vibrating in her pocket and she reached for it. It was her friend who was in Boston.
"Hey Stephanie." Elyse said, her voice hoarse.
"Where are you?!" Stephanie definitely sounded worried. "Gone all night?"
"Yes, I was gone all night though I never intended to be." Elyse was trying to whisper so she wouldn't wake Mort. After all, he looks so peaceful when he sleeps.
"What do you mean you didn't intend to? You were obviously gone somewhere. Please tell me you didn't get drunk and pass out somewhere."
"No. I went to that author's house remember. We went out to dinner, then back to his place for tea. Well, I said I'd have one cup and that turned into like seven cups. We fell asleep talking on the couch." She smiled as she remembered last night. It made her happy to feel secure around someone.
She felt Mort begin to stir. "Look, I'll call you back in a few, okay?"
"Alright, bye." Her friend hung up, and so did she.
"Who are you talking to?" Mort asked, trying to open his eyes.
"My friend in Boston. She was worried about me and I told her I was fine."
"Oh, okay. We should probably be getting up anyways." He realizes for the first time that his arms had been wrapped around her waist. "Oh sorry." He said blushing. Then he realized that she hadn't said anything till then about it.
"Don't worry about it." They both got up from the couch. "Well, I should go back into town for now. Let me know if you want to do anything else. I can always make my trip longer." She grabbed her bag and opened the door.
"Elyse, wait I want to get your number." He said grabbing a pen and paper.
"Okay, 555-8988." She said.
"Thanks. I'll definitely be calling you." She walked out the door onto the screen porch. He came up behind her, slipping his arm around her waist. She turned to look him in the eyes. Just at that moment he kissed her. It was the most passionate kiss she ever had before. She succumbed to his every desire. She kissed him back not moving from her spot. In fact, she wouldn't be leaving for a little bit.
A/N: Hey there! I hope this chapter is good. Please review and let me know. I know it is long but I just couldn't stop writing. The next few won't be as long.