AN- I know, I know, long time no updates. I have bitten off more than I can chew. The original draft for this chapter is tangled mess of over 45 pages of hit and miss ramblings. I had to stop myself because I was cramming too much into one chapter and finding myself not having the patience or discipline to edit. Writer's block is also rearing its ugly head again, so I decided to break the one chapter up into several. This chapter focuses on the path that will lead to the adult Fitz and Olivia coming together.
Shout out to fellow FF writer kz4valentina for all her encouragement. If you haven't read her stories, check out "Whatever Happens" and her new one "A Match Made In Heaven".
Enjoy and remember I own nothing.
Tri-Olitz
Chapter 6
A Bet, a Promise and a Belief
Princeton, Olivia's Sophomore Year
Gripping the sheer beige curtain panel, anxiously peering out the bay window of the apartment she shares with Olivia, Abby visually canvasses the street below checking out every passerby in search of the man she hopes will be the bearer of good news. She looks at her watch and taps the face with her finger. "Any minute", she whispers and sure enough, as soon as she looks up she finds the neighborhood mail carrier, Mr. Burgess, stopping in front of the apartment building. In the two years Abby and Olivia have lived in this quaint little brownstone, Mr. Burgess has arrived at 10:22 am on the dot like clockwork on mail service days. The slender silver haired postal worker quickly sorts through the mail in his gray doubled-sided wheel cart gathering the letters, magazines and junk circulars for the residents of the three-story walk-up. With bundles in hand, he makes way up the stairs into the lobby and unlocks the tenant mailbox. Abby runs downstairs and waits impatiently for Mr. Burgess to finish distributing the mail among a dozen brass lock boxes. Jumping from side to side charged with anticipation, she looks more like a child waiting in line to go potty than an Ivy League sophomore.
"Did they come, did they come, did the letters come", she asks excitedly. Mr. Burgess chuckles as he locks the service door to the mailboxes.
"Yes they came. You girls must be excited. Will this be your first trip to California?"
"No we went to Sea World camp our last year of middle school. In fact, it was the first time we were totally on our own away from our parents". Abby smiles to herself, reminiscing fondly about her and Olivia's mischievous adolescent summer adventure.
"Hmm, that smirk on your face tells me there's more to the story".
"Let's just say our parents were told not to make plans for us to attend future camp sessions".
"Oh my goodness, what did you two do?"
"Well, we kinda had a PETA moment, where we rallied the other campers, snuck into the arctic enclosure and tried to free the penguins the last night of camp. Needless to say, our parents put an end to our unaccompanied minor aspirations and placed us on the no fly list for California after that".
They both laugh and Abby gives Mr. Burgess a bear hug before inserting her key into the apartment mailbox lock.
"Have nice day and good luck to both of you," Mr. Burgess says waving as he leaves the lobby.
Abby grabs the mail and sifts through the letters and magazines until she reaches the focus of her search. Pressing the envelope to her chest, she says a little prayer and bounds up the stairs to share the news with Olivia.
Olivia's POV
"Olivia, get your ass out here", I hear Abby yell from the living room.
"Ouch, damn it!" I just got clobbered on the head by a couple of big boy multi-speed dongs. It figures, Abby is always hiding her dry spell relief aid shit on top of my storage boxes whenever she finds a guy who can satisfy her v-ache. How she manages to hook up with drawer peepers I'll never understand. You would think a reasonably sane person would avoid guys that find it necessary to search your intimates drawer, but not Abby. No, she attracts these weirdos like flies to manure.
"Give me a minute", I shout back. I put my box back on the shelf, finish dressing and walk out to meet Abby in the other room.
"Abby you need to keep your pelvic stress relievers out of my closet. I could have gotten a concussion retrieving one of my storage boxes".
"Oops, sorry Liv, Stephen let it slip the other night he's not comfortable with women who find an artificial dick a reasonable substitute for the real thing. Something about their size and battery powered endurance set unrealistic girth and stamina expectations for men thus tainting the act of lovemaking".
"Really? He said girth, endurance and taint all in one sentence?"
"Yep, he's different from the two brain specimens I normally date".
"He said lovemaking and not sex".
"Yes".
"Maybe there's hope for you yet Abs. He sounds like a keeper".
"Yeah, yeah, whatever, here". She hands me my letter from the SF Triathlon.
"I guess this makes it official".
"Yes, we are officially entered in the San Francisco Triathlon".
"Let's our letters together".
"Why the dramatics we already know what's inside?"
"Flair adds to the experience and makes the retelling of our story to others all the more poignant".
"Okay hold up. Is this Stephen a theatre arts major?"
"Yes, why do you ask?" With her hands on her hips, Abby gives me squinty stare.
"Figures", I smirk. Abby's boy toys always end up infiltrating our flat with their lifestyle choices. First, it was Boomer the vegan history major. One morning I left for class and came home in the evening to a refrigerator empty of all diary and meat and filled with coconut water, almond milk, something called textured vegetable protein and a coffee table with boxes of Ken Burns documentaries. Another time, there was the business major slash amateur magician who bought a defective collapsible box off of Craig's list which resulted in the untimely crushing death of his pet dove.
"What was that Liv?"
"Oh nothing", I said fine.
"Uhm hmm", she hums with a cheeky smile.
We hold our letters in front us with outstretched hands.
"Okay on the count of three".
"Wait, do you mean we open after you say three or on three?"
Rolling my eyes, "seriously Abby".
"What, I find your inclination to provide inexact instruction disappointing as an aspiring future lawyer", she squawks with a grin.
I feign annoyance.
"Fine, after three open your envelope. Happy now! Are those instructions clear enough for you?"
"Yes, thank you for the clarification".
"One, two", we turn our envelopes over readying to rip open the flap, "three". We wedge our fingers under the flaps and tear open our letters.
"Congratulations, blah, blah, blah…you are registered for the August 9th San Francisco Triathlon… blah, blah, blah… you are registered for the Olympic course. Wait, what the fu…the Olympic course." Abby blurts out.
I scan my letter, "those punks registered us for the toughest course. Let's kill them!" I grab my phone off the coffee table and call my cousin Harrison.
"Hello Olivia. How are you?" I put my phone on speaker.
"Don't hello Olivia me! We got our registration confirmation letters today. Is there something you want to tell us?"
"Nothing I can think of; why?"
"You entered us for the Olympic course instead of the Supersprint you idiot. This is our first triathlon. Why would you sign us for the most difficult course? We have to swim to Alcatraz! We've only been training six months dufus! The bet is off!"
"Hey, hey, cool it with the name calling. Need I remind you, you agreed to compete in a triathlon of our choosing; you never placed any restrictions on the course choice. As a matter of fact, this whole bet is based on you boasting how you and your BFF partner-in-crime could compete with me and your former main squeeze on equal footing and I quote, "place as high or higher in the same category. Does any of this sound familiar to you Ranting Rhonda? You knew we were signing up for the Olympic course, so what made you think we would place you on the novice course. Talk big game cousin and you better be ready to back your claim. Now if you want to concede to our superior athleticism now, I'm more than willing to…"
"Hell to the 'h' no! The spoils of this bet will not go to you or the Lord of VD. So pick out your frock and heels Harry, game on!" I hang up without saying goodbye.
I turn to face Abby who has remained uncharacteristically quiet throughout my conversation with Harrison. "We have to make a good showing to win this bet.
"I know. I want to wipe that smug look off Harrison's face. I knew they'd pull something like this. Good thing we've been practicing for the longer course".
"Do you think I fooled him?"
"Oscar caliber performance Rhonda", Abby applauds and whistles as we both fall unto the couch laughing.
"If we place in the top 25 we'll win the kitty and the added bonus of watching Harrison go to church and basketball practice in full-on drag for two weeks in the fall".
"Liv where you come up with these freaky wagers is beyond me. Uhm… I notice you've given the other participant in our little four-way parlay a new moniker. Let's see, there was Peter Plague, Edward Epidemic, Festus Feverblister, Sid Sickness, Chester Cheater, Freddy Fibber, Terence Tramp, and my favorite Ben Bezonian. I had to look that one up."
"He's deserving of every deprecating appellation I can think of. He is a liar, a cheater, a waste of good skin, and an overall despicable human being".
"I agree, no argument here, but if we lose you'll have to…"
"Don't even entertain the thought. We…are…not… going… to lose. I would rather slit my wrists than spend three days at a family reunion with that diseased overblown ego and his family pretending to be head over heels in love with his sleazy ass".
"We shouldn't have agreed to change the bet after you two broke up. Mud wrestling at Rascals for four nights looks rather appealing at the moment."
"Give me a break all you have to do is wash Harrison's clothes once a week for a month. I'd gladly switch places".
"Liv you've been to his dorm room, a high pressure wash with febreze and Lysol would only take off the first layer of boy funk permeating that room. If his room is gag provoking his laundry is going to be especially nasty. How is it he smells fresh and funk-free when he walks amongst us?" We both laugh and shake our heads.
"Dinner with Danny Dipstick is preferable to weekly exposure to Harrison's tidy whiteys and sweaty armpit deposits." Abby shivers at the thought.
"Abby I'd don a nose clip, cover my body with stick-ups and grab a roll of quarters, believe me. You know, Edison hasn't told his family we're no longer together. They think we are the perfect power couple in-waiting; destined for power and prestige. Last summer his mother kept hinting about how nice a June wedding would be after we graduated. His family practically has us married with 2.5 kids and a 401K! The Davises have no idea the fruit of their loins is a world class schmuck!"
"After we win he has to come clean to his family and stay 500 yards away from me permanently".
"He agreed to those terms? Well that explains the sidebar conversation you two had during the prize renegotiations. No wonder he remained silent about the terms. Are you breaking any agreement with him by telling me the terms?"
"No. He asked me to keep the terms between the two of us but I never said I would. Silence or rather my failure to acknowledge his request does not imply or reflect agreement".
"You are so lucky you never slept with that prick. No telling what exotic strain of venereal cocktail that horn dog receives regularly treatment for. What kind of idiot in this day and age refuses to wrap it up?"
"He's reckless, irresponsible and has a superman complex. I think he really believes his penis is Teflon and his balls made of steel.
"Liv can I ask you something?"
"Hold on I need a calendar."
"What? Why?"
"I need to mark this day down. Abby Louise Whelan asking permission to ask a question. What's next, locust, frogs, rivers of blood?" Abby punches me in the arm.
"No seriously Liv."
"Sure shoot, my BFF partner in crime".
"Why did you avoid having sex with Edison? I mean he had to ask or try to slide into home base at some point. You two were together for almost 2 years".
"Oh he tried. He tried quite often in fact. He tried romancing me and when that didn't work he tried to shame or guilt me. I never felt anything other than like for Edison the entire time we were together. I knew he was not the one. Try as I might, I could never imagine us intimate".
"Liv are you still holding out for Fitz?"
I look away from Abby, the mere mention of his name fills my mind with visions of the past. The beach, the Smithsonian, and the cab in New York, precious memories that replay in a mind's eye as vivid as the day they took place. Fitz is a man now and I often try to image how he looks and wonder if I will recognize him in a crowd.
"Liv, Liv", it takes a few seconds for her voice to snap me out of my Fitz haze. "You're thinking about him right now aren't you?"
"Yes I am. Abby there is not a day that goes by I don't think of him. He's always with me, consciously and unconsciously. I can't explain it. This feeling…these visions I have of him… are so…so… all consuming at times…I…I".
Shaking my head, I run my fingers through my hair. Words escape me when it comes to Fitz. He's my most secret secret and elusive passion. I wait for him. I watch for him. I know I'm meant to spend my life with him. How do I explain my feelings to her without sounding a little crazy?
"It's okay Liv I think I understand".
"Do you? I barely understand this connection I have with Fitz myself. You can hardly call us friends or even a couple, yet I believe we are so much more. Fitz has been a part of every critical event of my life. I met him in the Hamptons before my mother died and he took care of me. Then he saved my life at the Smithsonian and in New York, the day of the debate, the day I was missing my mom terribly, I find her necklace and this five 'n dime ring he gave me when we were children in some random cab. When I need him, he's always there Abby. Our connection is just not coincidental".
"Olivia I don't want to burst your bubble but I have to say the likelihood of you ever seeing Fitz again is a million to one".
"I hear you Abby, but think about this, because of him, I couldn't give myself to Edison. Fitz saved me from a shit load of heartache and penicillin. Trust me I understand your concern. My gut feeling, belief, hope, whatever you want to call it, sounds irrational and completely unrealistic. I get it. All I can say is in my heart I know I will see him again and we will have a life together".
I quickly cover my mouth with both hands, my deepest thoughts uttered.
"Oh my god, I actually said it out loud. Oh my god".
I stand up wringing my hands and start pacing. Abby's right, the chances of Fitz and me getting together after all this time are astronomical. What am I thinking?
"Liv it's okay", Abby repeats a few times trying to reassure me and prevent me from having a minor meltdown.
"If you believe you two are meant to be, who am I to rain on your parade, but if you have even the slightest of doubts, please don't close yourself off to the possibility of a meaningful relationship if a great man comes along. I'll admit you had some cosmic connection with Fitz in the past but will you consider the possibility the connection has served its purpose and is over". Abby walks over to me and places her hand on my shoulder.
Recognizing Abby is only expressing her sincere concern for me, I place my hand on top of her's and give a gentle squeeze.
"I will Abs, I will".
Yale Fitz's Senior Year
Drunken revelers carouse in the streets, front yards and on the porches of houses lining fraternity row. The cool night air smells of vice and excess. Howls of laughter from the teams of partygoers punctuate the backdrop of loud music, cigarette smoke and the flashing lights from disco balls. A giddy Mellie parks in front of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. She takes her luck at finding a parking space on the normally congested street on a party night as a favorable sign from above her plans for the evening will be a success. She checks her lipstick in the visor mirror and combs her bangs across her brow with her index finger. She pinches her lightly powdered cheeks to add a blush of red and slowly sweeps her tongue across her bleached white teeth. Satisfied with what she sees, she winks to herself and flips the visor back in place. She and her new gal Amanda Tanner make quick work of getting out of the car and into the Delta Phi house. Once inside they dodge the wasted and puking as they scan their surroundings Fitz's location. Mellie is on a mission to finally snag Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III as her boyfriend. Although not a requirement for her plan, Mellie would prefer Fitz commit to her of his own volition but desperate times call for desperate measures and artificial affection is as good as the real thing.
Mellie's newest sidekick Amanda is a loner by nature due to her frequent court ordered extended stays at the various upscale psychiatric treatment facilities dotting the eastern seaboard. Fresh from a thirty day stay at club veg, she met Mellie in an upper division women's studies course and the two dysfunctional personalities immediately hit it off. The new friends hung out often but rarely shared any personal information of consequence until one night Mellie got snookered after Fitz refused to accompany her an important high profile family function and she confessed her unrequited love dilemma to Amanda.
Amanda, eager to help her one and only friend tells Mellie how she can help her capture Fitz's heart. At first Mellie was leery of Amanda's plan but in the end she had to admit nothing she had tried thus far had worked so she really had nothing to lose by trying Amanda's bizarre scheme.
Fitz POV
Standing in the kitchen, leaning against a granite topped island covered with half empty liquor bottles and used plastic cups, my mind for some reason is consumed with thoughts of Olivia. I fear something ominous is on the horizon and I cannot shake the feeling. I barely know her and have no idea where she is or how to contact her. I haven't seen her since the taxi incident in New York and yet the inexplicable tie binding us through space and time is sending a major alert to my soul. The burdensome feeling of helplessness taxes my mind so I drink. I drink to silence the foreboding screaming in my head and pray a benevolent spirit will bring Olivia to me or protect her until I can reach her.
Jake and I are attending one of the last parties of the school year, which all happens to be our last college party. After finals, we're off to California to prepare for the San Francisco Triathlon taking place in August. Jake arranged for us to sublet an apartment for the summer in LA so I can avoid spending time at home in Santa Barbara with Big Gerry. The triathlon is our last hooray before we start our stint in the navy.
"Hello Fitzgerald, fancy meeting you here", a shrill female voice says addressing me, snapping me out of my thoughts. The owner of the voice, the pesky Mellie Pearson, saunters up to me brightly displaying her patent toothy grin.
"How are you? It has been awhile. What have you been up to?" I say with forced cordiality, as her presence is adding to my feeling of dread. I pop open another beer and slowly swallow the cold liquid.
Gushing as usual, she places her hand on my shoulder, "I'm doing great, a little of this, a little of that, you know me always into something or other. I plan to tour Europe over the summer. Maybe you could meet me in Paris or Lisbon. We'd have a great time together", she says suggestively grazing her fingers across her breast and sticking her middle finger down her cleavage. Her little comment causes my throat to constrict, which makes me cough and forces beer to shoot out my nose. Mellie pats me on the back several times but keeps talking without a pause.
"Oh, before I forget, be on the lookout for an invitation to my graduation party. Daddy is sparing no expense. Frankly, it's rather obscene what he is spending on my little celebration", she squawks shaking her head and covering her push-up bra cleavage with her hand in typical southern belle fashion. I wish she would stop touching her boobs, she's making me uncomfortable and not in a good way.
I nod obliging her droning inconsequential comments then turn my attention to the label on the bottle of beer I'm still holding.
"Fitz you seem distracted. Is everything all right? Can I help?" She moves closer to me, my body's involuntarily response is to step back maintaining a comfortable personal space.
"I'm fine, no complaints. Things are going well and my summer and post graduation plans are in place."
"Really? Oh right, Big Gerry mentioned you'd be starting law school in the fall? Harvard, right?"
"No, I will not be starting law school in the fall. I've enlisted in the Navy and will begin officer training at the end of summer."
"What!" Mellie screeches. Does Big Gerry know about this change of plans? Do you any idea of what you are doing? Fitz you are disrupting a carefully crafted timeline! Deals have been made, promises need to be kept! Do you have any idea what you have done?"
Mellie is incensed to the point her irritation threatens to crease her botoxed brow. You'd think I killed her cat or spit in her face by her reaction. I bet Big Gerry promised to rein me in once I enrolled in law school. I'm sure fall was supposed to mark the official start of a very public arranged courtship.
Jake, hearing Mellie's shriek over the pounding beat of the party's techno music, makes his way from the patio deck to the kitchen. Mellie's infuriated demeanor tells him everything. He knows I dropped the Navy bomb on her. Joining me at the island, he greets Mellie with his usual sarcasm.
"Hey Mellie, how are you? Eaten any babies or small children lately?"
I cut in before Mellie can answer. "I was just telling Mellie about enlisting in the Navy. Apparently, my father gave her the impression I'd be starting law school in the fall."
"Oh, that's interesting, where?"
"Harvard".
"What a coincidence. I ran into David McAllister the other day and he mentioned Mellie would be starting Harvard law in the fall too. Go figure, what are the odds of both of you entering Harvard at the same time? Mellie did you tell Fitz you were starting Harvard in the fall?" Mellie is livid. She casts a stern glare at Jake and resumes talking to me.
"How long have you been planning this Fitz? Did you do this on a whim? Maybe Gerry can pull a few strings and have your enlistment rescinded", she suggests hopefully.
"It's always been my intention to spend time serving my country. A whim? Who do you take me for Mellie? My convictions are not the product of a whim and my career plans are my own, not my father's. You know Mellie I can always count on you to channel Big Gerry any time I run afoul of the master plan. But thankfully in a few weeks I will sever all ties you and my father. My plan is to never see you or listen to my father talk about running for president ever again".
"Fitz that's not a very nice thing to say."
"Which part? Not seeing you or not having to listen to my father?"
"Fitzgerald!"
"Mellie?"
"What is about me you find so displeasing?
Pretty much everything.
"I mean, I'm attractive, intelligent, DAR certified and socially well-received. I am the perfect political partner." Mellie grabs my hand and gazes into my eyes with all the sincerity of a consummate bullshiter.
Jake is right I have been too subtle in communicating my feelings to Mellie. The woman cannot take a hint. Pulling my hand away and imbued with clarity of thought born from slight inebriation, I decide to once and for all put an end to Mellie's Big Gerry inspired fantasies.
"Mellie, I need you to hear me and to completely comprehend what I am saying. You and I will never be partners, husband and wife or even good friends. I want you to be clear on where I stand so you stop wasting effort and energy on something that is an absolute impossibility". She moves in closer, again trying to convey sincerity.
"Look Mellie, Big Gerry's plans are just that his plans not mine. He is a double-dealing, "what's in it for me" politician. Honor, service, the public good are sound bites to him; a means to an end, nothing more. If I choose a political career, it will be on my terms not his. I have never had aspirations of becoming president and if I did, the last person I'd take advice from is a man whose egoist shortcomings and philandering ways eliminated any chance of him pursuing the highest elected office for himself. If D.C. is your desired destination I suggest you set your sights on some unsuspecting Harvard law student with political credentials in line with your ambitions".
Mellie looks at me in total disbelief. Noticing Jake is still with us she glares at him and snaps, "don't you have somewhere else to be".
"No, I'm good. Feel free to continue."
"You are a real prick Jake.
"So I've been told."
"Jake can you give us a minute?"
"You sure man?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Jake pats me on shoulder and heads back to the deck where he continues to observe Mellie.
The second Jake is out of the kitchen the phony switch in Mellie's head flips her back into character. She snatches a napkin off the counter to dry the nonexistent tears from the corners of her eyes. She stiffens her posture and reaches over to encase my free hand between her French manicured claws.
"Fitzgerald...Fitz… sweetheart". I pull my hand away but my recoil doesn't faze her.
"I completely understand your apprehension about an arranged relationship. I do, trust me I do. I know Gerry has put a lot of pressure on you but he really has your best interest at heart. We're a match made in political heaven. We are media gold Fitz".
"Mellie, let me be frank, I don't find you attractive, interesting or even nice. I flinch at your touch, shudder at the thought of spending extended periods of time with you and basically do not like you as person in general. I find you devious, manipulative, pretentious, and somewhat odious. I have no desire to be connected to you in any way. Have I made myself clear?"
Undeterred by my honest assessment of her deep-rooted character flaws and my declaration of relationship independence, Mellie presses on ignoring my dismissal.
"Fitz we are going to be together, it is inevitable. Gerry will make "us" happen. You will marry me and we will take D.C by storm. So go...go to the navy, get this personal manifest destiny nonsense out of your system so we can move on. You may not like me but you need me to be a success. Love is for suckers, talentless dreamers and teenagers looking to get laid". And there it is ladies and gentlemen cynical devious Mellie in the flesh.
"Mellie you are fucking insane. Have you heard a word I've said?"
She pats me on the cheek. "Not insane baby, just determined." Stepping into my personal space, cuffing my chin, she tries to a plant kiss on my lips but I balk, turn my head and back away.
"It's okay lover, plenty of time for foreplay."
Now I know she's certifiable. She pivots on her heels and walks out the opposite door she came in swinging her hips. I guess her moves are meant to be sexy but all I think is "ew" and shiver in disgust.
Jake walks back into the kitchen grinning.
"What did she say?"
I gulp down the rest of my beer, slam the bottle on the counter and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.
"I owe you an apology. You've told me since we were kids that Mellie is a whack job. Today I can confirm your observations are completely accurate. She basically told me she and Gerry have already determined my future and there is not a damn thing I can do about it. She is graciously allowing me to serve in the navy in order to get, and I quote, "this personal manifest destiny nonsense out of my system so we can move on".
"She's an opportunistic parasite looking for a high profile host and you're it man".
"Jake, I mean it was surreal, basically I called her a piece of shit and she turned around and tried to kiss me".
"Look, I'm not going to say I told you so, but I told you so. Mellie's been producing crazy stem cells in her brain for years. Half of her brain has to be dedicated to demented Fitz fantasies. Oh and that was brilliant by the way applying for law school to throw Big Gerry off. Papa Pearson I'm sure had to call in favors to get wank-a-doodle Mellie a space in the fall class."
"Probably. Are you ready to head out?"
Jake leans in closer. "Fitz, did something happen recently? You've seemed preoccupied for the last few days. Is everything okay?"
"Uhm, I have a lot on my mind with finals, the triathlon, the inescapable blow-up my father is going to have once Mellie spreads the navy news," I explain to Jake, staring blankly as I exhale deeply and run my fingers through my hair.
"Hey, this is me you're talking to you. I know you Fitz. Finals will be a breeze for you, this isn't our first triathlon and you can care less if Gerry goes ballistic. What's really bothering you man? Is it Olivia?"
I look him in the eyes, no further explanation is necessary. Jake is the one person on earth I share my secret obsession with. He has never judged me, only acted as my sounding board and a supportive friend.
"Okay, let me drain the pipe, we'll go home and I'll let you bend my ear and paint my toenails", he says laughing collaring me with his arm and kissing my cheek.
"Asshole", feigning disgust I wipe my cheek with my t-shirt.
He blows me an air kiss, "Give me five minutes," he says walking away.
"I'll wait out front; I need some air".
Unbeknownst to Fitz or Jake Amanda is lurking by the doorway eavesdropping on their conversation. Before Jake departs, she quickly goes to find Mellie. She tells Mellie what she overheard.
"No, you're mistaken, you must have misunderstood. Fitz isn't involved with anyone; I'd know about it, his father would have told me".
"I'm sure what heard Mellie. Apparently Fitz and this Olivia person had a fight or something, that's why he's all sullen and distracted".
"Damn it! Okay, it doesn't matter. She'll be of no consequence by morning. Do you have the stuff from Opia?"
"Yes", waving a baggy with a few grams of white powder at Mellie.
Mellie returns to the kitchen with Amanda after Jake leaves.
"Mellie you're back, why?" I ask in a tone laced with irritation and suspicion.
"Oh Fitzgerald, I can't stay angry with you. I come in peace bearing gifts". She tries to hand me an open beer. I ignore her and I look at the woman standing next to her who is trying hard not to gawk at me.
"Oh my, how rude of me, where are my manners. Fitz this is my good friend Amanda Tanner". Amanda and I exchange greetings. She seems nervous but I attribute it to her being shy.
Mellie hands me the beer again. This time I take it. "To letting bygones be bygones," she says raising her bottle to toast.
She and Amanda clink their bottles together then tap mines and take a sip. I eye them both skeptically before taking a small sip of the beer. They look at each other and say bottoms up. I drink most of the beer but not all of it.
"Thanks for the beer Mellie, I have to be going. Jake and I are leaving. Nice meeting you Amanda".
"Sure Fitz, see you around".
Not if I can help it, I mumble under my breath.
Mellie's POV
"How long before he passes out?"
"Fifteen minutes, thirty at the most".
"Good, go keep Jake busy while I see to Fitz. This time tomorrow he'll wake up next to me hopelessly in love with me".
"What should I do to with Jake?"
"Improvise; throw yourself at him. I don't care what you do just keep him away from Fitz".
"Okay Mellie, I'll do what I can".
Jake is coming down the stairs from the bathroom when he sees Fitz walking towards the front door with Mellie following close behind. He almost tumbles down the last few stairs because Amanda slams into him pretending to trip.
"I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. I'm such a klutz. Are you hurt?" She inquires excitedly wrapping her arms around his waist for stability. When Jake helps regain her balance she gazes up at him batting her eyelashes flirtatiously in an awkward attempt to divert his attention.
Jake saw Mellie whispering to Amanda earlier so he is certain the two are friends. He finds her flirtation comical rather than seductive and suspects she is trying to delay him to give Mellie time alone with Fitz; which is never a good thing.
"No harm done; excuse me I have to go".
Amanda grabs Jake by the arm. "What's your hurry handsome? The party is just getting started".
Jake casts a disapproving glare from his arm to her eyes. Getting the message, she immediately releases her grip.
Meanwhile, Mellie trails Fitz waiting for the voodoo love concoction to take effect.
Fitz staggers down the front steps slightly disoriented and Mellie is at his side before he can take a seat at the curb.
"Fitz are you feeling all right? I don't think you are in any condition to drive. My car is right over there I'll take you home". Mellie tries to help Fitz stand.
"Mellie don't, Jake is coming out any minute to take me home. Don't worry it's handled".
"Oh Jake got held up with Amanda, I think he likes her".
Fitz feels sick and nearly passes out at the curb.
"My head hurts. Did you put something in my beer?"
"Really Fitzgerald, what kind of person do you take me for?"
Technically, I didn't do it, I had Amanda put the powder in Fitz's beer.
Flashback
"Do you have the stuff from Opia?"
"Yes", Amanda says waving a baggy with a few grams of white powder at Mellie.
"So how does it work? Do I blow it in his face, rub it on my lips, put it in his drink, what?
"You mix it in his drink, he passes out and when he wakes up if you are the first person he sees Opia says he will forever be hopelessly in love with you". She touts to Mellie with confidence.
Opia is Amanda's family housekeeper. She is a former voodoo-priestess-for-hire, who back in the day ran afoul of the law when one of her potions nearly killed a retired high-ranking police official. She ended up doing time and upon her release from prison she changed her name and secured a job with the Tanners who were looking for someone to pay under the table to avoid paying taxes and benefits. The Tanners know Opia has a checkered past and exploit it to their advantage. They pay her a merger salary for long hours knowing Opia will say nothing because she has nowhere to go and is working under a false identity.
Shortly after moving in with the Tanner family Opia becomes aware Amanda, the Tanner's only child, is not quite right in the head. Almost on a daily basis, discussions of Amanda's misdeeds fill the house with exasperated hushed whispers. Opia learns Amanda's parents spend a great deal of money on lawyers and paying off the victims of their daughter's borderline psychotic behavior. Opia having a great deal of experience dealing with the marginal, views Amanda as an easy mark she can manipulate. She easily convinces Amanda to help her peddle snake oil concoctions, innocuous love potions and voodoo dolls to naive organic product loving millennials and other wealthy trend addicted nitwits. Amanda may not have had friends but she supplied Opia with a steady source of gullible customers.
A week ago, Amanda came to Opia demanding she make a strong, cannot fail love potion for Mellie. Up until that point, Opia had hawked her products through Amanda as health and novelty items. Amanda's sudden demand for the genuine article poses the potentially of landing Opia back in prison. Opia cannot afford the Tanners finding out she is using Amanda to conduct her side business. Given Amanda's unpredictable mental state Opia, thinks fast, and agrees to mix the potion but cautions Amanda the potion will only work if all the instructions are followed to the letter.
Opia tells Amanda, "You must mix this potion in the intended's drink and he must drink it, all of it, within ten minutes of it being added to his drink. He will fall asleep within 30 minutes so your friend must put him in his bed. She must chant their names in his ear a hundred times before he wakes. He must wake up in his own bed with her next to him. Your friend must be the first person the intended sees when he wakes up. She must dress in red, the color of love. She must not be on her cycle, for blood and hormones counteract the potion. He will sleep for at least a couple of hours, during this time your friend must stand naked in front of his bedroom door with hands raised in surrender for an hour. If she stands in front of the door, she will block the spirit of any rival wanting to challenge her for the intended's affection. This will also show the intended's spirit she is willing to submit to his love. The couple must not be interrupted or the spirits of harmony and love will not bless them with a permanent union and the spirit of hate will take over".
Opia grinds dried parsley, clear laxative powder and melatonin into a fine powder and gives it to Amanda. At worst, whomever she plans slipping this mixture to will take a nap and have a healthy bowel movement after a few hours.
"Tell your friend to heed my warning Amanda, for there is a fine line between love and hate. If she fails to follow any part of my instructions, she only will suffer the consequences".
Amanda swallows hard, and says, "I understand".
End Flashback
Jake steps to the side to pass Amanda. Worried he'll intercept Fitz, she panics, pulls a small leather slapjack out her pocket, hits Jake on the back of the head and pushes him down the stairs. Jake grabs the back of his head in pain with one hand and tries to brace his fall with the other. He lands belly first on the hardwood floor at the base of the stairs. "Uggh", he croaks in pain. Amanda hops on his back to deliver more blows but a couple partygoers witnessing her attack tackle her.
"Call the police", someone yells. "Hold her down", another shouts.
Amanda, unhinged, starts screaming obscenities and flailing her body about, struggling to break free from those restraining her. She needs to call Mellie and warn her or their plan will fail.
Jake's friend Peter Hudson, helps Jake to his feet. Jake stands staggering slightly. "What the hell just happened?"
"Dude that's crazy Amanda. You only talk to her on an as-needed basis. Are you okay?" Peter examines the back of Jake's head for bruising or blood.
"Yeah, man I'm fine".
"You sure, the cops are on the way. Here, take this".
"What's this?"
"The contact information for her family lawyer. Call him. Tell him what happened and he'll send you a check".
"What the hell? Is this a frequent problem with her?"
"Pretty much. She's calm down quite a bit since she started hanging out with Mellie".
"Shit Fitz!"
"Oh I saw him get in Mellie's car a little while ago".
"Damn. Thanks man I have to go".
"You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine". Jake rushes out of the frat without even glancing at Amanda. He tries to call Fitz but the call goes directly to voice mail. "Shit, shit, shit, God please let them go back to our apartment".
Jake arrives home ten minutes later parking haphazardly in front of their modest apartment building. He races up two flights of stairs to the second floor apartment he shares with Fitz. The door to the apartment is ajar, so he bolts in expecting to see Fitz in a compromising position with Mellie. Semi- relieved by the absence of gyrating bodies, he continues further in towards Fitz's bedroom. He makes his way down the hallway to Fitz's room. He sees a figure standing in the doorway. He flips on the hall light, stunned at first by what sees, he burst into hysterical laughter a second later. It is quite a sight behold, Mellie standing buck naked, hands raised above her head chanting "Fitz loves Mellie" like a rosary prayer. Mellie turns around without thinking giving Jake a full frontal.
"Oh god my eyes, my eyes, he cries between laughs.
"No, no, you've ruined everything you bastard!"
AN- I'm going to stop here. I'm pooped.
-So, Fitz and Olivia think of each other so often it is difficult for them to date or commit to other people.
-As you can guess, the event that finally brings them together involves competing in a triathlon
-Abby and Jake are supportive friends who are always willing to lend a sympathetic ear.
- Edison is a jerk, Mellie is a jerk and Amanda is just plain crazy.
-Jake is scarred for life after seeing Mellie from all angles. LOL
Well, so long for now, I hope to get the next chapter up next week. Drop a line if you are so inclined. Take care and have a great week.