Chapter 11
Two weeks had passed and Mort had finally moved into his summer cabin. He called Deja everyday telling her how much he missed her. She of course, missed him just as much. A week from today she would be heading to Tashmore Lake to spend seven wonderful days with him. Neither of them could wait.
After working her daytime job at the insurance agency, Deja was headed home for a night in. She was glad to not have to work at Lucy's that evening, but knew she'd be bored all alone. She sat on her couch, reading Mort's book, when suddenly the phone began to ring.
"Hi baby," she said, knowing it was Mort on the other end.
"Well, hello to you too...sweetheart," the voice on the other end chuckled.
It was Darrell. She felt stupid for assuming it was Mort, but tried to not let her embarrassment show. "Oh, Darrell. I thought you were..."
"Someone else," he cut her off. "It's okay, I know you weren't expecting a call from me."
"So, what's up?"
"Well, I'm calling because...well, um..." he paused.
"Spit it out, Darrell," Deja was slowly getting annoyed.
"I wanted to know if you'd wanna go see a movie with me?"
Deja was not prepared for that at all. She certainly didn't want to go on a date with her ex.
As if reading her thoughts, he continued, "Trust me, this wouldn't be a date. It's just that there's a good independent film playing at the theater down the block from your house and you know how I hate to go see anything alone. Celeste, my girlfriend, hates small independent films, and she suggested I take someone else. And...well, you're the only person that I could think of that would appreciate the movie as much as me."
Celeste, Deja thought as she rolled her eyes, he made sure to throw her in there. Deja was bored and she did love a good independent film. She figured there couldn't be any harm in two people going to see a movie together. Especially since both of them were taken.
She somewhat hesitantly agreed to meet him in the theater in an hour. Because she wasn't in the mood to impress, she kept on her faded jeans, her brown Maroon 5 T-shirt, and her flip flops. She quickly combed her hair, threw on her denim jacket, grabbed her keys and was on her way.
Darrell had made it to the theater before Deja and had already purchased two small buckets of popcorn along with two sodas. As soon as Deja walked in she saw the smile spread across his face.
"Glad you showed, I was thinking you might stand me up," he laughed nervously.
"You got us popcorn?" she questioned, ignoring his statement.
"Yeah, I figured it was the least I could do since you wouldn't let me pay for your ticket."
"Well, since this is technically NOT a date," Deja made sure to stress the word 'not,' "I wouldn't feel right with you paying for my ticket."
"Well, just consider the popcorn and soda as part of my apology for everything I've done to you in the past."
Deja wished he hadn't brought that up. She had almost forgotten about that, but now her feelings of hurt and distrust were rising to the surface. She tried to shake it off. She wanted to enjoy the movie and go home to call Mort. Just then she thought to herself that she was glad Mort was in Tashmore Lake. How would it look if he had run into her and her ex? She already knew how he felt about cheaters, even though this was strictly platonic, he loathed it. She made up in her mind that this would be her last meeting with Darrell.
For the next two hours Deja and Darrell sat in silence and enjoyed the film. She was actually glad that she had agreed to come to the movies. The movie was great, and she may have otherwise never seen it.
As the credits rolled, they discussed their thoughts on the film. This was something they always did after every movie they'd see. They'd discuss their favorite parts, the symbolism behind certain aspects of it, which characters they could identify with, etc. That was always the best part of watching a movie with Darrell. He was such a film buff and she loved hearing his thoughts on the subject.
They were still discussing the wonderful film, when the lights had come on and the usher came in to begin his cleaning.
Deja began to laugh. "I guess that's our cue to get going."
"I still have so much more to say about this movie. I mean...it had so much depth to it!" Darrell replied as if not caring that it was time to leave.
"Darrell," Deja cut in, "we need to really go. The usher looks like he wants us to go so he can finish his work and go home."
"Yeah, I guess," he reluctantly agreed.
"Come on, time to go home," she said.
"Maybe we can discuss this further at your place?" he offered.
"Ha, nice try Darrell," she went on, "I thought you were committed to what's her face?"
"Celeste. And yes, I am. I was just wanting to finish this conversation, that's all."
Deja checked her watch and seeing as how it was still early she suggested that they head over to Lucy's for a cup of coffee and some pie. She figured he could finish talking about the movie, she could tell him that this would be their last time meeting because she didn't feel comfortable doing this while she had a boyfriend, and that would be that.
About 20 minutes later, with their pie and coffee half gone, and Darrell finally being done talking about the movie, Deja thought it was the perfect moment to let him know she couldn't be friends with him.
"Darrell," she started, "this is the last time we can meet like this."
He looked at her confused.
"I really did enjoy myself, but I'm in love with someone else and I don't think he would be too thrilled with our little 'meeting.' I know this is strictly on a friendly level, but I just don't feel at ease with this. And I'd appreciate it if the calls stopped too."
There she'd done it. She was able to say what needed to be said, and he didn't even interrupt her.
"Wow," he really did look surprised, "well, if you're not completely okay with all of this, then I totally understand. I respect you and your new relationship." He paused, "Thanks for coming out with me tonight anyway."
He was taking this really well. Deja was proud of him. He honestly seemed like a changed person. Whoever this Celeste girl was, she was obviously doing something right.
They finished their food and Darrell walked Deja to her car. She thanked him for the nice evening and they gave each other a hug.
"Take care of yourself, okay?" Deja said.
"Will do. And you make sure that man of yours treats you like the queen you are."
She nodded, gave him another hug and got into her car. As she pulled off, she looked into the rear view mirror and could see Darrell standing next to his car waving good-bye. That was a chapter in her life that could finally come to a close, Deja thought.
Mort had pulled up to the diner, hoping that Deja was working. He wanted to surprise her. It had only been a couple of weeks since he'd seen her last, and she was set to come to Tashmore Lake next week, but he missed her. She was his sense of security and he needed that.
Just as he was about to get out of his car, he saw Deja and another man walking out of the diner. She didn't have her work uniform on, so he knew she must've been there for leisure purposes. He sat as still as possible as he watched the interaction between the two. They talked briefly and then he saw Deja wrap her arms around this stranger and give him a warm hug. How could she? Mort thought to himself. And just then he saw her give the man another hug, get into her car and drive off. "That bi.tch!" he yelled, a little too loudly. He couldn't believe this was happening to him all over again. Why did he keep falling for women that were prone to cheat? He knew he had to put this to an end, but he wasn't sure how. Just then he saw the man get in his car and pull off. Mort decided to follow.
