Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 30
September 3, 2005
San Francisco
1:48 a.m.
Climbing into the limo Ron had reserved for them, Sara and Gil exuded happiness.
"With the exception of bumping into the Andersons, the night was perfect," Sara remarked while smoothing her hands over the silk of her dress. "You keep getting better and better at those slow dances, Honey."
"You're talking as if the night is over." Gil tossed his jacket and loosened his tie. "I'm pretending I'm back on nightshift and at two a.m. my work would only be half done." Limo or plane, limo or plane…
"I'm pretending I'm a pregnant woman who's exhausted from having a frabjous time all night after working like a dog all day…except I'm not pretending." That really was a stupid thing to say when he's so obviously randy. You know he's been looking forward to fooling around in the limo all night. Nice going. "Kidding! I'm wired."
"That was a fantastic poker face, Honey," Gil praised. "I have a feeling our Scrabble match in Tahoe will be a lot more challenging if you bluff that well." But I'll still win.
Let's see if you feel the same after you lose. "Soooo…" Sara snuggled up close. "What's it going to be? A little reminiscing with Boom Boom in the back of this limo or, another punch on our Mile High Club membership card?" Pleeeeease pick limo!
Why didn't I have these offers when I was eighteen and could pull off both! Nibbling on his wife's earlobe Gil murmured, "I think I'd like to spend a little quality time reacquainting myself with Boom Boom."
Oh thank God because by the time we board the plane and are safely at cruising altitude I'll be asleep. "Excellent choice," Sara purred. "Now I hope I can remember my role." And stay awake.
As long as you're awake and naked I'll be a happy man. "Don't sweat the details, Boom Boom." He winked as he pulled out his money clip. "I'm an easily satisfied customer."
Ain't that the truth. "First things first…" She headed for the limo's stereo. "Music…a slow, steady grind." Sara tuned the dial until she came across something suitable. "Perfect." She stayed seated across from her husband, enticing him with her eyes.
Hearing the first bars of the erotic tune Gil perked up. "Nice choice." He settled back against the seat and pulled out a fifty dollar bill. "Let's see what you've got, Baby," he teased.
Suddenly I'm getting a second wind. She watched him eagerly waving the bill. Hmm…could I have a thing for getting paid for my services? Would that be considered a fetish? Yeah…it definitely would and a pretty kinky one at that. Slowly removing a rhinestone clip from her hair Sara eyed her husband seductively. What's gotten into me? Must be the pregnancy hormones.
"Very nice," Gil lauded. Sometimes I still can't believe this gorgeous woman loves me.
I know that look…bliss. Sara turned her back on Gil. "Care to help me with my zipper, Sir?"
He teasingly replied, "If I'm recalling the rules correctly, I'm not allowed to touch the dancer."
"You are if I ask," she quickly corrected before changing to a sultry tone. "Please help me remove my dress."
"If you insist." In one smooth move he had the zipper undone. "Oooh…black lace…always a nice surprise."
"I have a few more coming your way," Sara taunted while remembering to remove the dress slowly as Catherine taught her…the slower the better.
Reaching over, Gil tucked the fifty in Sara's bra strap. "Boom Boom…you were fantastic before but, dare I say you've gotten even better."
Her dress shed, she slid onto his lap. "You can say anything you want…" Making sure her hot breath fanned over his ear she whispered, "…because you're paying me. And since the dance club bouncer didn't come along for the ride, you can pay me for more than just dancing."
Oh yeah…she's ten times better than the first time. "Good to know, Boom Boom," Gil replied while gliding his hands over black lace and his wife's heated flesh. "So good." When his hands reached her hair he laced his fingers through and kissed her vigorously. I could really get carried away with this little game.
In a momentary snap out of character Sara panted in her husband's ear, "Get as carried away with this as you'd like because I'm really turned on."
I hope I didn't just imagine that. "Really?" Sara never looked sexier and he felt like a kid in a candy store.
"Yes…blame the hormones." In a flash Boom Boom was back. "What's it gonna be tonight, Baby?"
With a rowdy smirk on his face, Gil leaned in and whispered his risqué request in his eager playmate's ear using a few words he'd never utter to his wife but felt comfortable verbalizing to Boom Boom. I can't believe I just said that out loud! My whole life I've never said that out loud.
I can't believe he just said that out loud. From the look on his face I can tell he's never said that out loud in his entire life. Okay... now I'm more excited than ever. Blushing, Sara began working open her husband's shirt buttons. "Mmm…you are one hell of a naughty boy."
The Blakes
2:01 a.m.
"Sulfur burning of lake fiery the in be will place their – liars all and idolaters the, arts magic practice who those, immoral sexually the, murderers the, vile the, unbelieving the…" Sean gulped as the backwards words were comprehended forwards. The sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and the all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. "Oh no."
Clutching his Bible, Sean took off running for Ryan's room. Once there he opened the door and dashed over to the bed where his brother was slumbering soundly. Frantic, he shook him while heatedly whispering, "Wake up, Ryan! Wake up!"
"What's happening!" Ryan gasped while clutching his chest.
After a deep breath, Sean gave his brother the devastating news. "You're going to burn in a fiery lake of sulfur!"
Rubbing his eyes, Ryan sleepily asked, "Did you change the channel to the Sci Fi network or something?"
"No!" Sean flicked on the bedside lamp. "I was reading the Bible and it said those who are sexually immoral, practice magic arts, worship idols, and lie, will burn in a fiery lake of sulfur."
After a giant yawn Ryan replied, "You probably got it wrong because you were reading backwards. I don't remember hearing that in Sunday School."
"You never pay attention in Sunday School," Sean was quick to point out.
"True."
"You're sexually immoral because you admitted to leering at Tawny, and you lie all the time."
"Who hasn't lied?"
"Me!"
Ryan laughed. "Okay…but you're not normal. And even if those two are true, I'm not into magic and idol worship."
Sean grabbed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone from the nightstand. "Magic!" Then he pointed to his brother's wall which was covered in football posters and the words 'My Idols' written on a piece of green construction paper. "Idolatry!"
"Hmm…" Ryan crashed back against the sheets. "How hot do you think a lake of sulfur is? Because I don't have any problem handling a really hot Jacuzzi."
"Ryan! You don't understand." Sean tried to remain patient. "The boiling point of sulfur is 444.674 degrees Celsius."
"Uh…can you convert that to Fahrenheit for me?"
"832.42 degrees!" he exclaimed in a near panic. "Now do you see why I'm concerned?"
Ryan calmly said, "I'm a teenage boy who admires football players, reads Harry Potter, lies about harmless stuff, and whacks off once or twice a day. I don't think that makes me evil, I think it makes me average. Sorry…I find it hard to believe that God would get ticked enough to toss me in a sulfur lake over that stuff. I mean…where do the murders, rapists, and child molesters go if I'm getting the boiling lake for reading Harry Potter?"
"The Bible says they go to the same lake."
"Seriously? Do you think that's fair?" he quizzed. "Because I think it's lame."
Horrified, Sean covered his mouth. "It said the unbelievers go there too! Now you have five strikes against you."
"Fine…since I'm already hosed five times over then it doesn't really matter what I do, right?" Shaking his head Ryan informed his troubled rule-following brother, "So, here are my plans for tomorrow, Sean…I'm gonna kick off the day by lying and saying I'm taking a dump when in reality, I'll be conducting some sexual immorality with myself in the bathroom. Later, I'll be worshipping the Aggies with Uncle Nick, and then I plan to end the day with a chapter or two of Harry Potter magic." With that, he reached over and clicked off the light. "Now, if you'll excuse me…since I'll only be getting four seconds of afterlife, I need my sleep so I can wake up rested tomorrow and live my Earthly day to the fullest."
"It's after midnight, so technically it already is tomorrow so really you should have said today unless you meant Sunday, but since the Aggies aren't playing on Sunday you had to mean..."
"Out! Now! Or I'll be able to check off murder on my sin list."
The Sanders Home
2:11 a.m.
As Tawny pulled into the driveway of the Sanders home, Charlie nervously asked from the backseat of the Mercedes, "Are you going to tell Bev I gave him the shot glass of GHB? Because I'm pretty sure she'll kill me if you do." He was still buzzing from the alcohol he downed earlier, but he was sober enough to know Mama Sanders would be outraged if she found out what he did to her precious little boy.
Once the car was parked Tawny turned around and checked on Greg, who was passed out in Charlie's arms. "How's he doing?" she asked the med student/playboy jerk.
"His pulse was fifty-six a minute ago and it was fifty-two before that." To calm her down he added, "Sixty to one hundred is the normal range, but it's not uncommon for seasoned athlete's to have resting heart rates in the forties and fifties."
"Does Greg look like a seasoned athlete to you!"
"Okay, point taken but…he's breathing fine." In a steady voice he assured her, "Seriously…I'm not worried, and since I'd be the first one to go to jail for his death, I think it's safe to say if I'm not worried, there's no reason to worry."
Finally she released her grip on the steering wheel and opened the car door. "Okay…get him into the house as quietly as possible." The last thing she wanted was for Scott to see Greg passed out and accuse him of being irresponsible.
While Charlie was employing the fireman's carry to move Greg, Tawny proceeded to unlock the front door. What she didn't know was that Bev had expected them to enter through the interior garage door, as was customary, and therefore she only bypassed the burglar alarm for that door, not the others, including the one Tawny was opening. "Oh no!" she gasped when the siren engaged.
"Shit!" Charlie immediately envisioned Bev killing him. "Nice going! Now I'm a dead man!"
"Like this situation is my fault!" Tawny snapped. "Do you ever think of anyone else's ass but your own?"
"Yes!" he retorted. "Thinking about your ass is what got me to give him the drug in the first place! I didn't do this so Becca could sleep with Hoj, I did this so I could spend some quality time getting to know you while Becca was sleeping with Hoj."
"Ugh…am I supposed to be flattered that you find my ass worthy of potentially killing an innocent person? You're pathetic! You're like every loser I ever dated rolled into one giant Super Loser!" Tawny yelled as she darted away from the door. "Hide over here! I don't want Scott to see Greg like this."
With Greg on his back, Charlie followed Tawny behind the bushes. "You do realize you left the car in the driveway, right?" he asked while lowering Greg to the ground. "Now they're just going to think the two of you were abducted upon opening the front door and call the cops."
"Oh, sure…now you grow a brain," Tawny huffed as she stood and prepared to face the music. "Ugh…bring him inside."
Scott appeared in the doorway with a phone to his ear. "False alarm," he informed the alarm monitoring company upon seeing Tawny approach. "Hi, Sweetheart. Why didn't Greg pull into the…what the hell?"
"It's not what you think," Tawny cautioned. "Greg didn't drink himself into oblivion." But before she could say more, Bev appeared in the doorway, saw Greg, and went hysterical.
"Oh my God!" She raced out the door. "What happened? Is he okay?"
"Becca happened," Tawny snipped as her ire suddenly returned. "She gave Charlie a vial of Liquid X to slip into Greg's drink."
Bev's heart leapt into her throat as the image of Greg in a near coma seventeen years previous assaulted her. "A student at my school died from an overdose of that last year. We need to get him to the hospital." Her eyes welled as she gaped at Charlie. "How could you do that to him?"
"I'm really sorry, Mrs. Sanders," he groveled while lugging Greg into the house. "I don't blame you for wanting to kill me. I never should have listened to Becca but, I was drunk…and, as Tawny has pointed out multiple times tonight…I'm a spoiled, selfish, pathetic playboy who lives off his old man's wealth and wouldn't recognize the concepts of accountability and responsibility if they bit me in the ass. That being said…as a future doctor, and a recreational drug use expert, in my educated opinion…Hoj will be just fine. I've been monitoring his vitals since he passed out. He's sleeping it off. He has about four or five more hours to go probably."
Tawny attempted to reassure Bev, "It sounds and looks scary, but he's just sleeping. He'll be fine."
Charlie gently placed Greg on the couch. "He needs to stay on his side just in case he vomits or goes into convulsions." When he saw Bev's horror notch Charlie assured, "As a med student I'm obligated to say that stuff…I don't expect it to really happen."
Bev rushed to her son and felt his cheek to make sure it was still warm because he appeared lifeless.
Staring at Tawny, Scott huffed, "Fill in the blanks for me, Honey. Where were you when this happened?"
"I was dancing with Becca," Tawny answered truthfully. "You know…keeping my enemy close. However, while I was busy watching her..." She glanced over at Charlie. "Mr. Self-Absorbed caught Greg off guard and gave him a drink. It was the only drink Greg had all night. I didn't think Charlie was in cahoots with Becca…I'm sure Greg didn't either. Becca's master plan was for Charlie to drug me and then get me into bed so she could tell Greg I'm a cheating whore."
"Oh God!" Bev's mind raced. "The babies."
"Don't worry, I'm fine." she flashed a smile in Bev's direction then grimaced at Charlie. "In a fleeting moment of moral clarity, Mr. Hollywood refused to drug and rape me."
Charlie took a seat on the edge of couch at Greg's feet and lowered his head. "Again…I'm really sorry."
Stepping over to the couch to check on Greg, Tawny shook her head. "Unfortunately, the same can't be said for Becca, she took full advantage of the situation."
His anger intensifying, Scott stuffed his hands on his hips. "Are you saying Becca raped Greg?" Then a scarier thought struck him. "What if she was intentionally trying to trap him?"
"You don't have to worry about pregnancy," Tawny assured the frantic parents. "It was oral, and she didn't get to finish the job because we busted her."
"I can't believe she was that vile," Bev angrily remarked as her stomach knotted from the thought of her son being violated. "I know Greg is a grown man but, he's still my child and the thought of anyone taking advantage of him like that…" Shaking her head she informed her husband, "I won't let her get away with this, she needs to pay."
"I agree, Honey…enough is enough." Scott scowled at Charlie. "You could have killed my son and left his unborn children fatherless. Do you understand that? Do you realize the gravity of the situation yet?" Still holding the phone he raised it. "I really don't think you do, Charlie. You're twenty-six but you have the mentality of a four year old. In the past few months alone, you had that mess in Malibu, and you had your teeth knocked out for being an ass on the field. Your father and I go way back but I'm at my wit's end here. I'm calling the cops to teach you a lesson before your stupidity ends up killing someone, yourself included. You'll have Becca to keep you company at the police station."
"Wait!" Tawny pleaded while reaching for the phone. "Trust me…I want them to pay as much as you do but, let's really think about this. It's up to Greg whether or not he wants to press charges, and I have a feeling he won't want to go through with it. He would have to give a reason for taking off from work to attend the trial. As a Criminalist it won't look good if he was at a wild party where illicit drugs were rampant and I think we all know that Becca would hire the best lawyer money could buy, and dredge up a lot of history that would weaken his case."
Charlie confirmed, "You've got that right and you know my father will do the same to save my ass."
Tawny appealed to Bev, "Things may come out that would damage Greg professionally and personally. Becca knows way too much about him…things he did in high school and college, and I have no doubt she'd use it all against him. He doesn't need more stress right now…he's already having nightmares." Sighing she confessed, "If she had gone all the way with him I might feel different because then we would have to worry about disease and pregnancy but, since it was limited to oral sex, I don't feel the trade off is worth it. If Greg feels differently when he wakes, I'll support him one hundred percent but…" Taking the phone she softly said, "Let's not do something we can't undo."
Bev's shoulders slumped. "I agree."
Charlie finally took a breath. "Me too. If I were Hoj, I wouldn't want to get on the stand and say I'm pissed off because the sexy woman everyone knows I tried to bag for years had her way with me. I'm no lawyer but…I think he'd have a rough time with the guys on the jury unless they were all gay."
"No one asked for your opinion, Mr. Dwyer." While understanding Tawny's point, Scott countered, "But if we wait and he does want to press charges, it could be too late."
Tawny pondered the question for a moment then said, "The drug won't be in his blood anymore, but I know for a fact that GHB stays in urine for about twelve hours, so we'll still have proof of that. Also, Charlie was dumb enough to give me the vial with his prints all over it." She smiled proudly, "Being a good CSI wannabe, I used a tissue to take it so I wouldn't put mine on it."
Charlie flashed a friendly smile. "Let the record show I'm cooperating."
Scott nodded. "Let the record show I'd be more impressed if you weren't saying that just to suck up to us hoping we won't press charges."
As Bev cradled Greg and kept her fingers pressed to his neck checking his pulse, she began thinking of ways to ruin Becca if charges couldn't be pressed.
"Proving the assault won't be a problem," Tawny grumbled. "The skank was so into her twisted fantasy she was salivating up a storm." The memory of Becca wiping her mouth with the back of her hand came rushing back. "Ugh…I'm sure he's coated with her DNA. Also, her fire-red lipstick is all over his underwear and a certain part of his anatomy." She shivered at the image of Becca looming over Greg's naked body like a hungry dog. "Lastly, she gave him a few love bites, which I'm assuming were to be used as proof he cheated on me. Can you believe that manipulative bitch! Pardon my French."
While smoothing her son's hair Bev retorted, "Don't worry…I'm thinking a lot worse about her than what you verbalized, Tawny. She was a guest in my home hundreds of times. I treated her like a daughter when her own mother couldn't be bothered to give her the time of day. To say I feel betrayed is an understatement. Becca may not go to jail for her behavior, but she's going to answer to me."
Charlie once again offered his unsolicited opinion. "Becca has always been bitchy, but since the divorce I think she's been slowly taking a turn towards full-on psycho. When Hoj showed up with Tawny and said he wouldn't dump her for Becks, I think it was the final straw. Becca doesn't handle disappointment well and she never expected him to turn her down. I'm sure it doesn't help that Tawny is a great girl and a gorgeous one at that. The bottom line is…if you guys have a rabbit, I'd keep tabs on it."
"Huh?" Tawny stared at him, her overtaxed mind unable to grasp the last statement.
Scott filled in the blank, "He's referencing a scene from the movie Fatal Attraction. When the other woman was spurned she went psycho, broke into her ex-lover's house and boiled their family's pet rabbit to send a message."
"Oh…yeah…I saw that one." Tawny quickly recalled the movie. "Before Becca goes that far she still has another hand to play…the desperate attention getting maneuver…you know, a fake suicide attempt, a car crash because she was soooo distracted from thinking about losing him." She gripped her throbbing head. "She knows Greg is sensitive enough to fall for that crap too."
Charlie nodded, "Freshman year of college, I had an ex-girlfriend slit her wrists and almost die after she caught me in bed with her sister…yeah, that really messed with my head. When I went to Cancun for Spring Break the next day, I was really out of it."
Tawny, Bev and Scott all gaped at the loser standing before them, but it was Tawny who spoke for the group. "Gee…that must have been truly awful for you, Charlie," she deadpanned.
"Yeah." He sighed, remembering how he couldn't even muster the enthusiasm necessary to judge a wet t-shirt contest with his buddies. "But after a day on the beach I chilled."
Shaking her head Tawny turned to her future in-laws. "After years of dating Charlies, can you see why I instantly fell in love with your son?" Her love for Greg overflowing, she knelt in front of his lifeless body. "He's perfect," she declared in her trademark Disney princess voice. "A true-blue Prince Charming."
A second later Charlie started coughing and jumped off the couch. "Damn…Prince Charming just cut a nasty one…" He fanned his hand in front of his scrunched face. "SBD."
Taking a step back Scott informed the group, "Greg ate two chili dogs at Sonic earlier…they always do a number on him. And Tawny, make a mental note…never feed him lentils…ever."
As Tawny covered her face and rose to her feet to seek refuge from the stench she heard Charlie laughing. "Laugh it up, jerk!" She spoke with Scarlett O'Hara conviction, "Greg could fart all day, every day until his gas was so bad that a permanent toxic cloud formed around him and he'd still be a better catch than you! You're one hundred and ten percent pig and I don't see any signs of you changing your swiney ways."
University Trauma Center
2:51 a.m.
Sitting up in bed watching Swimfan on his portable DVD player, Nick chomped on pretzels and sipped iced tea. He had become so caught up in the creepy thriller that he didn't realize Carrie had been gone for forty-five minutes. "That was fast," he stated without removing his eyes from the screen while she crossed the room.
"I've been gone for over forty minutes," Carrie coolly replied while walking towards him with her arms firmly folded over her chest.
Reluctantly pressing pause he stated, "The chick in this movie is a top notch psycho. She's new in school, right…and she comes on to this boy, who she knows has a steady girlfriend. They end up having casual sex in the swimming pool one night and the next day she acts like he's her serious boyfriend even though the sex was clearly no strings attached. Turns out she's got mental problems and she's goin' all 'fatal attraction' on him. The guy's an idiot…serves him right for cheatin' on his sweet girlfriend and sleepin' with someone he knew nothing about." Scooting over he patted the bed, urging Carrie to join him. "I'll start watching from the beginning for you."
Carrie remained at the foot of the bed staring down her fiancé.
"What's up, Darlin'?" he asked with concern in his voice. "You look ticked."
Taking a seat on the edge of the bed she replied, "I ran into Nurse Nasty in the cafeteria while she was on her meal break."
"What did that witch say to you now?"
"When she shot me a dirty look I decided that I had reached my limit and confronted her. I asked her why she was being so bitchy."
"Really?" Nick smiled approvingly at his fiancée. "What'd she say?"
Carrie unfolded her arms and smiled. "She told me a story about this time she was at Caesar's in the sports book area watching a Broncos - Cowboys game when she met this guy."
"Yeah…" Nick focused on Carrie's edgy smile.
"The guy was a Cowboys fan from Dallas and to make a long story short, after the game was over, they went back to her place to play a few games of their own and when she woke up the next morning he was gone. She didn't even know his real name because she had been calling him Cowboy all night." Sliding closer she asked in a cutesy voice, "Any guesses who the guy was?"
"Damn it!" Nick shook his head and snapped, "Exactly how many women did my brother screw in this town! He swore Tawny was the only one."
"Nicky!" Carrie jumped off the bed and railed, "It wasn't Andy!" It was you! That's why she hates you! You slept with her and disappeared without saying goodbye when she thought the two of you had made this big time connection because you both loved football, beer and meat." Exasperated by the nurse's long-winded and disconcerting story Carrie huffed, "To add insult to injury, you didn't even remember her when she walked in here the other night. That's why she was looking at you with a nasty expression. And when you caught her looming over you the first night, she was trying to get a closer look at you to make sure she had the right pig."
"What? No! She's got the wrong guy," he protested.
"Yeah? The guy she slept with had a friend…she described him as a tall African American dude named Warrick. And in case that's too vague…" Carrie's eyes narrowed as her speech quickened, "She said the guy had a birthmark in the shape of a Pac-man to the right of his penis, although she used a different term for the aforementioned body part."
Nick glanced guiltily at his crotch. "Uh…maybe she's confused about..."
"No, she distinctly remembers it because…I'm quoting her directly this time..." Carrie mimicked the nurse's grating voice, "It seemed like the Pac-man was jumping out at me in 3-D…it was mesmerizing, and I started to hear that wah-ka, wah-ka, wah-ka sound effect from the video game playing in my mind, which at the time I thought was pretty cool because it set a steady rhythm."
"That's uh…" With a sharp cough he cleared his throat. "…embarrassing."
"Tell me about it, she was having a grand old time humiliating me in lieu of you! She had me cornered and left no detail unshared, Nicky!" Carrie dropped her head in her hand. "She was laughing her ass off at me while she gave me the blow by blow, and now I have that stupid 3-D Pac-man thought in my head and that wah-ka, wah-ka, wah-ka! Ugh…you have no idea how gross it is to listen to another woman talk about doingthat act with your future husband. The only way it could have been worse would have been if she were saying that stuff in front of other people."
"I'm really sorry you had to hear that, Sweetheart." Nick's eyes turned toward the floor as he tried to place the nurse at Caesar's and various locations on his body. "But I still can't remember…did she do somethin' different to her appearance?"
"She's blonde now…she used to be red."
In his mind he changed the shade of her hair. "Okay…yeah, I still don't remember her."
"She said you were so plastered she was shocked you could get it up…her words, not mine. And, Nicky…" Carrie groaned and returned her gaze to him. "She said you left her fifty bucks for services rendered. That's what really pissed her off. You thought she was a hooker…and, unless she stunk, you underpaid her because you had two kinds of sex and she made you a sandwich…roast beef to be exact." Her voice cracking, Carrie said, "I didn't have a problem with you sleeping with a prostitute as a friend, but illegally soliciting…"
"What!" Incensed, he leapt out of bed, ignoring the burn of his incision. "I never paid for sex in my life. Why would I pay for sex? It's not like I couldn't have it whenever I wanted, or wasn't gettin' any. Carr…I swear, I didn't pay her!"
"How do you know you didn't pay her when you don't even remember her?" she snipped, having reached her limit. "The woman obviously has a vivid memory! She remembered Warrick's name, your birthmark and what kind of sandwich you ate…even the noise you make right before you…ugh." Holding her head Carrie cringed. "She specifically remembers when she woke up the next morning there was fifty bucks on the empty bed pillow under her autographed Broncos football."
Suddenly everything clicked into place. "Oh! Oh!" He rushed to Carrie's side. "That I remember! I didn't pay her for sex, we made a bet on the game and she won! That's why I left her fifty bucks. I'm sure 'Rick can back me up on that because he gave me a ton of shit about the bet since I made it with her when the Cowboys were down a ton of points in the fourth and that fifty was all the cash I had until pay day." The memory kept sharpening. "Yeah…the Cowboys lost and she took me back to her place to console me with roast beef sandwiches and beer." Grinning, he nodded vigorously. "Yeah…now I remember. She had a really freaky cat too."
"It was a Chinchilla," Carrie droned. "Apparently it freaked you out when you were naked because Amber recalls you shielding your privates and slurring, 'Whoa…get that furry little F'er away from my nuts'…except you said the whole f-word."
"You love me a bit less than an hour ago, don't you?" When she didn't respond he hung his head.
Carrie finally replied, "It's frustrating being the fiancée of an ex man-ho with a sketchy memory and living in the same town with his many one night stands. A total stranger loathed me by association, Nicky. I swear other women look at me funny too. I know I have an overactive imagination, but sometimes…like Diane Windermere from the PDs office for example…"
"Uh…" Nick winced at the memory of Diane running into him at the courthouse and saying she was still waiting for him to call and confirm what time he wanted to go to Pahrump the next afternoon…six weeks later. "Yeah…that one's probably not your imagination."
Propping up on her elbow Carrie impatiently asked, "Seriously…if you had to ballpark it, exactly how many women with grudges against you are there out there? Give me a clue so I know what I'm contending with here"
"Not many…a handful I suppose…maybe a dozen…or two," he quietly replied while somberly taking a seat on the bed. "Carrie…I was real upfront about the old me and you know I'm not that guy anymore. I understand that these situations are embarrassing for you and I'm really sorry about that, because you know it kills me to see you suffer in any way." After taking a deep breath he said, "The past is what it was and I can't go back and change anything. No more than Tawny can change who she associated with in this town. All I can do is say I'm sorry when something like this happens to you." Reaching out he took her hand. "I hope that's good enough because…"
"It is…and I'm not angry." She tugged him closer. "I'm just frustrated, because it's awkward. These women, who you couldn't even be bothered to call, get pissed at me because not only did you remember to call me, they see my engagement ring and know you're marrying me."
Nick snuggled up next to her and kissed her cheek. "I know, Sweetheart. Guys…we just beat the crap out of each other and declare a winner. Women are psychological brutal to one another and prolong the torture. Just try to put the stuff she told you out of your mind…it has nothing to do with us. I know that's easier said than done, because Greg's talked to me about similar situations with guys who recognized Tawny, but please try."
Working through her humiliation Carrie sighed, "Maybe Greg and I should start a support group."
"Thanks for being so understanding."
"Well…" Upon making eye contact she chose to push it all behind her and joked, "You put up with my scandalous past as a weapons dealer and mercenary for hire, so…"
After exchanging laughs and kisses Nick said, "I appreciate the humor."
"That reminds me…I'm not watching Swimfan," she announced. "Let's continue our all-nighter with something a little lighter."
"Did you bring A Walk in the Clouds with my boy Keanu?" That will earn me back some good boy points.
Aww…he's really trying to suck up to me. Chuckling she reached for her DVD case filled with the dozens of movies she purchased the other day. "Bridget Jones? I have both." As if there's a chance in hell he'd say no to me after what just happened.
"Great!" Fluffing their pillows Nick smiled. "Sara made Gris watch those. He said they were funny. Hell…if Grissom thinks something's funny then I bet I'll laugh my ass off." Watching her load the DVD Nick said, "When you start up your support group, you better invite Sara to join too. Grissom had his way with plenty of babes in this town…some with scandalous reputations."
IHMD, Inc Corporate Jet
3:07 a.m.
As Sara and Gil stepped onto the tarmac, their smiles wouldn't quit. Fresh from their limo ride into uncharted territory and ready to board a posh private jet, they felt like scandalous celebrities instead of reclusive science nerds.
"How are you ever going to stay awake at the body farm tomorrow?" Sara asked, knowing Sean would be disappointed if it had to be postponed.
With the perk of a schoolboy Gil replied, "Don't worry, I'll get a second wind once I'm around all those corpses and bugs."
"Now there's something you usually don't hear coming from a playboy jet setter." Sara took a seat and kicked off her shoes. "I'll never get used to heels."
Taking the seat next to his wife Gil informed her, "Your feet will swell during pregnancy and they'll only become more uncomfortable."
"I figure I only have to wear them to Greg and Tawny's wedding, whenever they decide to have one, and then Nick and Carrie's wedding in February." Rubbing her feet she moaned, "I already warned Carrie to go easy on me. I'm not up for wearing four inch Manuelos or whatever she gets excited over when we're walking by a window. I'll be very pregnant by then too so my balance will be even worse."
"Let me do that for you, Honey." Gil reached down and grabbed Sara's foot. "After what you just did for me, it's the least I can do."
"You're totally wired from that experience, aren't you?" She flashed a proud smile. "You'll probably crash right when we get to Wendy's in four hours."
"You're going with us?"
"No, I'm staying at Wendy's for a cooking lesson because I didn't want to sit in that stuffy hotel suite alone all day." Yawning, Sara explained, "She has some church thing on Sunday and I'll be learning to make whatever she's making for that." She yawned again. "I'm fading fast. I may end up napping on Wendy's couch while she cooks. Sean may be exhausted too because when I spoke with her earlier she told me he was so excited she hoped he could sleep."
The Blakes
3:16 a.m.
Cradling whimpering Ashley in her arms, Wendy padded down the hall to fetch a bottle of milk. When she reached the living room, she saw Sean asleep on the couch clutching his Bible while a late night soft core movie played on the TV. "What the hell?"
Knowing that Ashley wouldn't be consoled without a bottle, Wendy continued to the kitchen with plans to shut off the TV and cover Sean with a blanket as soon as she got the baby to sleep. "Mommy's right here," she soothed her baby girl. "I'm right here."
Plaza Medical Center
3:31 a.m.
Lissa clung to Drew as she watched her little girl lay motionless in the recovery room bed. "It's so hard seeing her like this, with tubes and machines." She sniffled into Drew's chest. "How much longer until she can stay awake for more than a few seconds? I know the doctor said she's doing great, but I'll feel much better once she can really tell us how she feels."
Wrapping his arms a little tighter around her, Drew whispered, "You have to remember it's the middle of the night too. She would normally be exhausted…the surgery is only exacerbating the situation."
A nurse returned with a blanket from the warmer. "Would you like to put this on your daughter, Mrs. Stokes?" In her experience, the gesture always made mothers feel like they were helping when in reality there was nothing they could do but wait.
"Yes, please." Lissa quickly took the blanket and unfurled it. "Here you go, Cassie, Honey. Nice and warm."
An Admissions Rep was the next person to approach. "Mr. Stokes…" In a soft voice she informed him, "I'm sorry to bring this up at an already difficult time but unfortunately, I'm at the mercy of rules and regulations. I'm afraid your medical insurance is no longer valid as of August thirty first, so I will need you to complete these financial forms. There are several options for you to select from regarding payment and if you don't have the funds necessary there are pamphlets on..."
"Oh, right…no…finances aren't a problem." Drew accepted the clipboard full of paperwork. "I start a new job next week and I'm guessin' the COBRA extension of benefits paperwork hasn't processed yet from my previous employer." Diffusing the tension, he smiled, "Worse comes to worse y'all can have my wife's Jag, it's parked in the ER lot. It's worth fifty grand at least, I know prices have soared since I was a Med Student but, I believe that's more than enough to cover an appendectomy." When he saw Lissa wipe her eyes Drew asked the woman, "Could you give us a few?"
"Certainly, I'll get those papers from you once your daughter is transferred to her room." The woman gave a polite smile then walked off.
"Sorry for that, Lis." Drew set the clipboard down on a chair. "I know it was embarrassing."
"The lack of insurance isn't the embarrassment, it's how it occurred." She grabbed a tissue from the bedside table. "I wasn't thinking straight when I called your boss. I put my spitefulness before my children's wellbeing." Shaking her head she confessed, "I was hell bent on making you suffer to an extreme and I turned into a vindictive bitch."
University Trauma Center
4:10 a.m.
Leaving Carrie sleeping in bed, Nick cinched his robe a little tighter and stepped into the corridor. When he saw that it was quiet on the hospital floor, Nick headed straight for the nurse's station, ready to confront his awkward past with Nurse Nasty.
Amber was busy filling out paperwork when she saw her patient cautiously approaching. In her snippiest voice she asked, "Need somethin'…Cowboy?"
Wishing he could avoid the unpleasant situation but knowing he couldn't, Nick forged ahead. "Yeah…uh." He noticed another female nurse, a stunning African American woman, who was trying to look busy while eavesdropping. "Amber…could we talk privately for a sec?" He pointed at the empty lounge.
"Nope." Amber sat back in her chair. "If you have something to say, you can say it in front of my best friend, Tina. I want a witness."
Tina smiled brightly. "It's been a boring night, I'd be grateful for a little excitement so, make it good…Cowboy."
"Uh…okay." Leaning against the counter Nick decided to take a friendly approach and flashed his best smile. "There's been a misunderstanding…a couple in fact. Like me not recognizing you…you colored your hair and I don't normally date blondes so…"
"Oh, really?" Amber tightly folded her arms across her chest as Tina pulled up a chair next to her to enjoy the drama.
"And the fifty bucks …I left it behind to cover the bet I lost to you on the football game we were watching at the Sports Book before we went back to your place. It wasn't for sex. I've never paid for sex in my life." He turned up the wattage on his smile. "But for the record…I would've had to pay you a lot more than fifty bucks because as I recall, we had a great time." Unfortunately the pain medication he was on slowed his reaction time and he didn't move quickly enough to avoid the box of Kleenex Nurse Nasty threw at him. "Damn!" The point of the box made a direct hit to his third eye. "I was payin' you a compliment!"
Jumping out of her chair Amber screamed in a whisper, "If we had a great time, then why did leave without saying goodbye and never call me again, you pig bastard!"
"Because it was no strings attached sex," he snapped while dabbing the blood on his forehead with a tissue. His thoughts turned to the movie he had just watched and he wondered if she suffered from the same mental quirk that the psycho girl in the movie did.
Gripping her pen as if it were a weapon Amber pointed it at him. "What made you think it was no strings attached sex!"
"What made you think it wasn't?" he countered, finding it impossible to believe she could think their six hours together had significance. "You picked me up in a bar, we tumbled all night and you didn't even bother to ask me my real name…sorry, but I'd hardly call that a sign of a meaningful relationship. For what it's worth, I truly didn't mean to offend you. In my mind, we both got our kicks and were parting ways as two satisfied…"
"I cooked for you!"
Surprised by her emotionality Nick calmly reminded the huffy woman, "You made me a roast beef sandwich."
Amber's temper flared. "Would you have bothered to say goodbye if I had made a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings? Exactly how many courses do you require to not be an asshole to the women you bed?" She pointed at his room door. "What kind of fancy meals does your prissy little fiancée cook for you, huh? Yeah…I bet she's a regular Martha Stewart in the kitchen, right? Probably has a lacy apron and greets you at the door wearing pearls and a smile after a long day. Pfft!"
"Actually…" A loving smile crested on his face. "…Carrie's a terrible cook," he replied without thinking. "I cook for her more than she cooks for me."
"Oh!" Amber grabbed the nearest clipboard ready to fling it, but Tina stopped her.
"Girlfriend, you need to chill," Tina warned. "You're gettin' a little too 'fatal attraction' and he's not all that. Like I told you the night you met him…you should have went for his buddy. Now that man had it going on."
Nick had reflexively shielded his face, but once he felt the coast was clear he lowered his hands. "Look…I didn't wake you to say goodbye because I got paged to go into work. But honestly, if I had said goodbye that's exactly what it would have been, because at that time in my life, one night was all I wanted. I know for a fact I didn't misrepresent my intentions, because I had accidentally misled a friend only a short time before we met and it got ugly. After that, I was real careful." Feeling confident that things were finally cool, Nick smiled, "Anyway…it never would have worked out between us 'cause I'm allergic to Chinchillas." He felt it was a harmless lie.
In a quivery voice Amber said, "You would have offered to get shots if you truly cared about me."
Gaping at the sniffling nurse Nick thought, this woman is truly delusional.
Becca's House
4:27 a.m.
Stumbling into her bedroom with her friend and tennis partner Darlene guiding her, Becca slurred, "When he wakes up, he'll realize Farm Girl isn't half the woman I am." Covering her mouth she gulped, "I'm definitely going to puke."
Darlene led her pathetic pal toward the bathroom and hoped her date, who was waiting in the living room for her, would be patient while she handled matters. "Becks…you need to prepare yourself, because I think there's a good chance Hoj is going to tell you to go to hell the next time he sees you. I was there when his girlfriend tossed you out by your hair. I'm a Psychologist, remember? I assure you that was anger Tawny was expressing, and she wouldn't have been that angry unless you were being vicious with her."
Clutching her friend's arm Becca dreamily stated, "No…no...he won't tell me to go to hell. He loves me." Holding her head the room spun. "You should have heard him when we were talking about the past."
"That's just it…your chance with him is in the past." Lifting the toilet bowl lid Darlene pointed out, "Farm Girl is Hoj's present and from what I observed today at the club and at the party…they're presently very in love with each other. You told me he said if you were mean to her again he'd cut you out of his life forever and I wouldn't consider your behavior towards her tonight friendly. That chick was ticked. Say it with me…it's over."
Kneeling down in front of the bowl Becca held up her index finger to signal she needed a moment.
Darlene took a few steps back, checked her appearance in the bathroom mirror and made a mental note that it was time for another Botox treatment.
"As I was saying…" Pulling herself to her knees a couple of minutes later, Becca hobbled to the sink to brush her teeth. "If you saw the blissful look on his face when he remembered the Christmas we spent together, you would…."
"Wake up!" Tired of hearing the same broken record Darlene snapped, "He was blissful because he was drugged!" Shaking her head she headed for the medicine cabinet. "I think it's high time you start using again, my friend."
Tossing her toothbrush Becca leaned against the counter and watched Darlene hold up two bottles. "Which works quicker and best? The Zoloft or the Celexa?"
"I'm not crazy," Becca muttered while lowering her head. "I'm just lonely and I know deep down that if I could just spend some quality time with him I could get him to understand he's making a mistake with Tawny." Tears suddenly streamed down her cheeks. "That's all I wanted tonight and she wasn't going to let me near him so I had to resort to…"
"Honey…" Darlene opted for a little tough love. "Your diagnosis is Borderline Personality Disorder and as of today you've crossed the line. There's no shame in admitting you're having a problem. You had it in check for a long time but, the divorce got the best of you and you stopped taking your meds. This thing with Hoj is showcasing all of your symptoms…unstable emotions, impulsiveness, self-destructive behavior, anger management issues, a warped sense of reality, and your biggie…frantic efforts to avoid being rejected." She shook both bottles. "Pick one and start taking it after the booze is out of your system. If you chill out and act remorseful, maybe Hoj won't follow through on his threat when he wakes and realizes what you did."
The Sanders Home
6:31 a.m.
Before his eyes opened, a smile formed on Greg's lips as she thought, Finallya perfect night's sleep. No nightmares, just blissfully deep slumber and pleasant dreams of Tawny and me...must be because I'm getting engaged today…who cares why or how…I feel great…except I have to pee like a racehorse.
When Scott saw his son's eyes pop open he stood up. "How are you feeling?"
"Fantastic." Suddenly Greg wondered why his father and not Tawny was the person he was seeing this morning. But before he could think deeper or ask more questions the urge to pee overwhelmed him and he jumped to his feet. "I need to hit the john ASAP."
"Wait!" Scott grabbed Greg's arm. "You can't yet."
That's when Greg realized he was standing in the living room wearing his party clothes and his mother was asleep in a chair and Tawny was out cold on the loveseat with her head on Charlie's lap, who was also sound asleep. "Dad…what's going on? Why are we all in the living room? Why can't I pee? Why is Charlie here? And more importantly, why is Tawny snuggled up with him?"
Scott silently rejoiced that Greg's voice sounded unaffected by the night's trauma.
The urge to go growing as strong as his need for details Greg barked, "I really need to go!"
Charlie, Tawny and Bev were all startled awake from the sound of Greg's yell.
"Are you okay!" Tawny and Bev simultaneously cried out as they darted to hug him
"Yessssss!" Charlie celebrated by jumping to his feet. "I told ya he'd be fine. You are fine, right, Hoj? 'Cause ya look great…very well rested. Remember those concert tickets I scored for you last year? Third row seats and backstage passes to…" The feel of Mr. Sanders's hand on the back of his neck shut him up.
As his mother and girlfriend came very close to squeezing the pee out of him Greg said, "Would you please tell me what's going on?"
Tawny wasted no time. "Becca gave Charlie GHB to put in your drink so she could have her way with you and you passed out and I was afraid you were going to die. We were waiting for you to wake up and decide if you wanted to press charges against them."
Overwhelmed by the information and his bladder Greg clutched his head and did a muted version of the pee-pee dance. "I…are you saying..."
"At the risk of helping myself go to jail, I'd like to make a suggestion," Charlie blurted. "Let him pee in something first. I don't know about you, Hoj, but I'm not capable of listening closely or deciding much when I'm about to wet myself."
Bev made a mad dash for the kitchen and returned with a Tupperware container in hand. "Here!" She handed it to her husband. "Go with him in case he's too confused."
Still shocked, Greg let his father lead him by the wrist into the powder room while looking over his shoulder at Tawny who he saw swiping a tear. "Dad…"
"Do you remember anything about last night, Son?" Scott asked upon shutting the powder room door. "About the party?" He removed the green plastic lid of the container and pointed to Greg's jeans. "I'll hand it over once you're ready."
"Uh…" With trembling hands Greg undid his jeans. "Dancing with Tawny." Glancing down he saw red lipstick on the waistband of his underwear. "Dad…" Weak with worry he grabbed the wall. "Tawny wasn't wearing red lipstick last night." Remembering Tawny's words, 'Becca gave Charlie GHB to put in your drink so she could have her way with you', he weakly asked, "Did I sleep with Becca?"
"No." Scott steadied his son. "Thankfully Tawny burst into the room and nailed Becca at third. Shortly after that you passed out."
"That means I was awake when Becca was…" Greg gulped as his stomach churned. "And Tawny saw me participating."
A soft knock on the door preceded Tawny asking, "Are you doing okay in there?"
"Dad…would you…"
"Sure." Scott placed the container on the counter and opened the door to switch places with Tawny.
"Hey…" she softly whispered when she saw Greg's panicked expression. "It's okay, Honey. I'm not angry with you." She quietly shut the door. "You were set up. I know you'd never…"
"I'm so sorry." Greg pulled her in his arms squeezing her tight. "We never should have gone to the party. It's just another example of me wanting something to make me feel good and causing you pain in the process. I've been doing this to you since the day we met and I won't blame you if…"
"No…no." She returned the embrace with equal zeal. "I'm glad we went. I was having a great time dancing with you and seeing you so happy. Our only mistake was not suspecting Becca would go this far and that Charlie would be stupid enough to give her an assist."
"I feel so stupid right now." His emotions building, Greg confessed, "None of this would have happened if I told Becca to go to hell earlier today. I'm an idiot…a perpetual idiot. My father knows that…he warned me not to say yes when she asked if it was okay that she bring her date to the party...her non-existent date. My dad must think I'm pathetic for letting this happen. How could he not?" Lowering his head he muttered, "How could you not, Tawny?"
Placing her palm under his chin she lifted his head, "I don't, Greg."
"Really?" He bit back his tears. "You're not just saying that because you're pregnant and scared of not being married, are you? Because of all the fish in the sea, I'm a…"
"Nice guy." Tawny gripped his shoulders. "You let her come to the party because you were being the same old nice guy who doesn't like to say no to a girl…the same sensitive guy you've been your whole life, and yeah, it bit you in the ass this time with Becca…and plenty of other times over the years." Her eyes welling she stroked his damp cheek "But you were being the same nice guy when you said no to an abortion and asked me to move in with you so you could take care of me while we sorted things out. Sweetie…I'm glad you didn't learn from previous mistakes and become a self-centered ass like Charlie. He would have broken the speed limit getting me to the clinic, and then dropped me at the curb with a wad of cash before racing to the club to make his tee time." After a tender kiss Tawny lovingly whispered, "When I accept your ring some time today it won't be because I'm desperate…because your father already offered to financially support me and the grandkids if I don't want to go through with the wedding."
"That was nice of him," he choked out.
"Yeah, where do you think you got it from? But Greg…I won't need to take him up on it. I'm not deluded, I know you exhibit bad judgment at times, but we'll work on it together. It's not a dealbreaker, okay?"
Too choked up, he nodded in lieu of words.
"Good." Tawny's smile backed up her statements. "Now…" She grabbed the container. "You need to finish business and make some decisions."
Next Chapter: It's FINALLY time (Sorry, Tawny, not quite yet!) to go to the body farm. But thanks to Greg's genius brain, Tawny gets a nice surprise…and so does Charlie. Ryan gets surprised when he walks into the bathroom. And that's just the beginning. Posting: Thursday
Thanks to Misty J for reviewing and to all for reading!
Maggs