Chapter 199: Marine Air Terminal
Wednesday, January 18th, Afternoon
They waited in the lounge of the Marine Air Terminal at New York LaGuardia Airport. Together they sat in a comfortable passenger lounge, working on things waiting for their flight to be called. She looked around and noticed she didn't fit in with her three fellow travelers.
Ellie studied the women, all dressed in business attire. She wore a cute, if not preppy, outfit; she looked like some Soccer Mom in Training, or a future Karen. Ellie shook her head; the irony is her sister is named Karen. Looking over her fellow travelers, again, she sighed.
Bobbi-Lee Burke sat with her tablet out. Her ginger red hair was pulled back in a bun on the back of her head. Bobbi-Lee was probably the second oldest of their group. Ellie wasn't sure of all the ages. Ellie studied Bobbi-Lee and noticed she was intently focused on what she was doing, whatever that was. Laughing to herself, Ellie wondered how Bobbi-Lee dealt with her name, and how people could perceive it.
Samantha "Sam" Walker was probably the closest to Ellie's age. Again, Ellie wasn't sure of her age, and wouldn't ask. Sam is Brooke's assistant and was a big part in keeping Brooke's business running. There was a certain level of coldness in her demeanor. Ellie knew that Sam was all business when she was at work and could be very cutting. Brooke's will be done; there's no doubt in Ellie's mind that Sam was making sure of that.
The fourth and final member of their party was Brooke Davis, herself. Ellie studied Brooke, as the older woman sat in the chair, her eyes hidden behind a signature pair of sunglasses. Ellie suspected that it was more than likely that Brooke was sleeping.
Ellie shook her head and reached into her bag. Pulling out her Moleskin notebook, it was one of her favorite styles by them, the classic. She cracked it open, and took out her pen, which is a black Pilot G-2 0.7mm, and started to write on the ivory pages.
"What are you writing?" Bobbi-Lee asked.
"Just some thoughts," Ellie said.
"For the next book?" Bobbi-Lee asked.
"Please leave me out," Sam said.
"Why are you so sure I'm writing a book?" Ellie asked.
"You're your dad's daughter," Sam said.
"My question is, what did you do? You did something, or you won't be leaving New York like a thief in the night," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Just some personal drama," Ellie said.
"That seems your stock and trade," Sam said.
"Now, Sam, be nice," Bobbi-Lee said.
"I'm serious, Bobbi," Sam said.
"Not everyone has an easy way in life," Bobbi-Lee said, "Or understands you."
"Like you, Bobbi?" Sam asked.
"Well, I picked the wrong boy," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Weren't you in your late twenties when that happened?" Sam asked.
"Yeah," Bobbi-Lee said.
"So, wouldn't he be a man when it all happened?" Sam asked.
"In the body, but that's it," Bobbi-Lee said.
"That's cold," Ellie said.
"Truth hurts," Bobbi-Lee said.
"I know that all too well," Ellie said.
"So, what did you do?" Bobbi-Lee asked.
"It was, as I said, just drama," Ellie said.
"People just don't flee a whole city unless it was something big," Sam said.
"When she says big, she means Titanic big," Bobbi-Lee said.
"So, since you're hitching a ride back to Tree Hill with us, we'd like to be in on why," Sam said.
"Do you want to know?" Ellie asked.
"Yes, I'd like to know," Sam said.
Ellie gave Sam a crooked smiled, "It's good to want, isn't it?" she replied.
"Why you little…" Sam was starting to say.
"Sam, it's not worth losing your temper over," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Bobbi," Sam said.
"Let her explain and accept whatever she tells us," Bobbi-Lee said.
Sam sighed, "Fine," she said.
"Thank you," Bobbi-Lee said, and turned to look at Ellie, "Please put this to rest."
Ellie sighed, "Fine," she said.
"Please, do explain," Sam said.
"I'm heading back to Tree Hill for my sister, aunt, and dad's honor they're doing on the thirtieth," Ellie said.
"That's it?" Sam asked.
"No, I don't think, so, either," Bobbi-Lee said.
"That's my reason," Ellie said, hoping it would die there; she didn't want to go into it.
"There's no way," Sam said.
"You agreed to accept what I told you," Ellie said.
Sam nodded, "That I did," she said.
"So, that's my reason, accept it," Ellie said.
"Fine," Sam said.
Ellie turned back to her notebook. She resumed her writing. After a few moments, she looked up and saw Bobbi-Lee looking over her tablet at Ellie.
"Yes?" Ellie asked.
"Sam agreed," Bobbi-Lee said.
"That she did," Ellie said.
"But, I didn't," Bobbi-Lee said.
"So, what do you want?" Ellie asked.
"The truth," Bobbi-Lee said.
Ellie sighed, "We shall never know the truth," she said.
"Don't give me any bullshit, my brother is the biggest reader of philosophy," Bobbi-Lee said.
"So, what do you want me to say?" Ellie asked.
"What happened to cause you to hide at Trin's apartment?" Bobbi-Lee asked.
"Fine!" Ellie said and shook her head, "My friend Ainsley after we went out and partied. She came home with me, uninvited, and did some unwelcome thing."
Bobbi-Lee nodded, "I see," she said.
"That's all you have to say?" Ellie asked.
"I think there's more," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Why's that?" Ellie asked.
"A hunch," Bobbi-Lee said, "Then again my book that might qualify as sexual assault."
Ellie sighed, "Ainsley wanted to be with me," she said.
"Sexually?" Bobbi-Lee asked.
"And more," Ellie said.
"Not to sound harsh, you've been with women before," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Yeah, but I wasn't sure," Ellie said, "So, I asked for time to think."
Bobbi-Lee nodded, "I take it she didn't do that," she said.
"No, she didn't," Ellie said.
Bobbi-Lee nodded, "I'm sorry," she said.
"For what?" Ellie asked in return.
"For making you share that," Bobbi-Lee said.
Ellie nodded. Before anyone could say anything, their flight was called to board. They got up and collected their bags. Sam woke Brooke up, as they headed out towards their waiting Gulf Stream business jet for the flight to North Carolina.
