A Place In the Sun
15
''Anita, I'm going to go over to Kelsey's new apartment today and help her move in, okay?'' Bobby told his wife as they finished eating breakfast.
''I thought you were going to help me look at apartments this morning?''
''We'll end up picking what you like best anyway, so you don't need me.''
''Oh, but your ex does?''
''Jake and Tad are booked solid for the next week, so they can't help her, is there any harm in helping out an old friend?''
''Yes, when she's your ex-wife. I wish you would have talked to me about this before right now.''
''Well, sorry, maybe next time I'll do better. I've got to go, good luck.''
''Behave yourself,'' she warned, giving him a kiss.
''Don't worry.''
...
''Hey, I just wanted to call and tell you I'm running a little bit late, okay? I'll be there in about ten minutes,'' Ryan told Gillian over the phone. ''Bye.''
Ryan opened the door to leave and, to his surprise, Tracy was standing there, her arms stretched across the doorframe.
''Hey there,'' she said.
''Trace, get out of my way, I've got somewhere to be.''
''I'll only be a minute.''
''I don't have a minute, you'll have to come back some other time.''
''Hold your horses, hold your horses.''
''Tracy, have you been drinking?'' he asked as she stumbled into his apartment.
''Only a wee little bit,'' she said, showing how much with her fingers.
''I think more than a little bit.''
''Oh, Ryan, don't you miss me?'' she giggled, looking up at him with puppy dog eyes and draping her hands on his shoulders.
''Less than you could possible know,'' he said under his breath.
''What was that?''
''I said it sure is quiet around here without you.''
''So you do miss me,'' she smiled.
''What do you want, Tracy? I told you I have to leave.''
''Just need to get a few more of my things, that's all.''
''And it couldn't wait?''
''Not a minute more.''
''How long do you think you're going to be?''
''Not more than a few minutes, you can go ahead and leave, I'll lock up after you.''
''Not on my life, I'm staying right here till you're gone.''
''Suit yourself,'' she said, going back to the bedroom.
Ryan picked up the phone and dialed Myrtle's.
''Hello?'' Gillian answered.
''Hey, Gillian,-''
''Ryan, where are you?''
''I'm sorry, just as I was leaving, Tracy stopped by, I'm trying to get her out of here as fast I can, but it may be a few more minutes.''
''Okay, that's fine, I don't have any other plans for today.''
''I promise it won't be long.''
''Well, I'll see you soon.''
''Bye.''
Ryan hung up the phone and went into the bedroom to see what Tracy was doing.
...
''Hey Kelsey,'' Bobby said as he approached her at the front of her new apartment.
''Hey!'' she said, running over to him.
''Sorry I didn't get here sooner, Anita had to give me the third degree before she'd let me leave.''
''What's up with that?'' she asked, taking a box off Jake's truck that he'd leant her to help move.
''I don't know,'' he said. ''It's totally out of no where, all of a sudden, you're 'the ex' so I shouldn't come see you or help you.''
''Well, I wouldn't really blame her, you know? After all, I did pull a bunch of stunts when I was younger. I hurt her family and I did keep you away from her. But she does need to know that I've grown up.''
''I told her to trust me, but you know how Anita is, she thinks she knows everything, and she's as stubborn as any of the rest of her siblings.''
''She sure does know how to hold a grudge.''
''Hopefully she'll get over herself real soon, I'd like to think we can still be friends.''
''I've got nothing wrong with that.''
Bobby looked around the room. ''Uh, Kels? Where's the furniture?''
''Ugh, don't ask,'' she said, taking the box she was carrying back to the bedroom. ''Delivery problem, I won't get it till tomorrow. I put it in storage when I moved back here after graduation, but I put it in storage back in California, since I didn't know if I was going to stay here or not. But now I am, so all my stuff has to come here, something about the truck got a flat tire. Anyway, a day without a bed or a couch won't kill me.''
''Yeah, I guess not. Anita and I are looking for an apartment, too, all our stuff is still in Chicago. Funny how none of us intend to move back here and we're back here at the same time.''
''Oh, I almost forgot, I ran into Laura the other day.''
''Yeah? How's she doing?''
''Great. She was just here visiting Brooke; Laura's living in New York now, doing social work there in the inner city.''
''Wow, that's great for her.''
''Yeah, she loves it. She said she's run into Scott a few times, actually, you know he finished film school? He was shooting a short he's working on near one of the centers she works at.''
''Wouldn't that be so neat if they got back together after all these years.''
''Bobby, that would be as weird as the two of us getting together.''
They both laughed.
''Let's go get some more boxes off the truck,'' Bobby said, heading out the front door.
...
A few minutes after Gillian hung up with Ryan, there was a knock on Myrtle's door.
''Coming,'' Gillian said, rushing to the door. Opening it, she said, ''That was quick.''
''You were expecting me?''
''Ray.''
''I know my name, are you going to let me in?''
''No.''
''Yes, you are, Gill,'' he said, pushing past her.
''Ray, I mean it, you can't be here.''
''And just why not?''
''I'm expecting company.''
''Who?''
''None of your business.''
''You know better than to back talk me. Is this the thanks I get for all I've done for you?''
''All you've done for me? What? Beating me around like I'm your personal punching bag? Yeah, I'm really appreciative of that. Or maybe I'm appreciative of how you'd take your anger out on my daughter.''
''A little putting in her place never hurt anyone.''
''Yes, it did, Ray.''
''She could use a little toughening up, still, where is she?''
''What do you want, Ray?''
''Just saying 'hi', let you know I'm around.''
''Well, please, go back to where you came from.''
''Can't.''
''Why, they've got some warrant out for your arrest?''
''You wish, but no. I got some debts I need to pay.''
''So, that's what you want, money?''
''You are royalty.''
''Ray, you know that that means absolutely nothing, you know my father blew it all years ago, way before we even met!''
''You'll get the money.''
Gillian was about to protest when she heard a noise on the stairs.