Karma
Most Characters borrowed from the television Series Nashville
Chapter 2
Kristen saw him sitting on a bench by the pond. He was slumped over elbows resting on his knees. "Hi, mind if I sit down?" She asked.
He didn't say anything but moved along the bench to make room for her. "What are you doing here?"
"You seemed to be a little upset when you left the office so I thought I'd try to find you and maybe see if you needed any company." She handed him a piece of bread "Want to feed the ducks?"
"What?"
"I asked if you wanted to feed the ducks. It's easy…here." She broke off a piece of bread and flicked it onto the pond. "See, it attracts the ducks. They come around for more. It's fun, and kind of cool to have a brace of ducks crowding around. You try."
"A Brace?" He asked as he flicked a piece of bread onto the water where a large bird grabbed it.
"Yep, that's what you call a group of ducks. You're talking to a school champion junior bird watcher here, say, nice try," she said. "But that wasn't a duck that was a Swan. We don't want him, they can turn nasty sometimes. Just feed the ducks." He flicked out another piece. "Now you have the hang of it." She smiled at him.
"School champion junior bird watcher huh?" He mimicked her title.
"Sure was. Want me to prove it. I'll tell you the varieties. That one there is a Teal, that colorful one is a Shoveler, that one in the front is a Black duck, impressed yet?"
"Yep, well I know about the Black duck. His name is Daffy. OK you've impressed me." He smiled at her.
"So, as I said earlier," she continued. "I was concerned when you left the office and didn't let me know how to reach you. Did you know you have never done that before? How do you expect me to keep tabs on you if you don't give me your flight plan?"
"Maybe I didn't want anyone keeping 'tabs' on me."
"That would never be right. All men need looking after, bosses or not. I just want to do my job," she gave him a wide smile.
"I see. I should have been a little more particular when I hired you. I wasn't aware I was employing a nosey assistant."
He seemed a little more relaxed. "Yes, but I'm only nosey when it's needed. 'Sticky Beak' Redmond', that's my nickname. Seriously though, when you left this morning I had a look at that photograph you were upset over. I went and asked Rayna and she gave me the insights into the concise history of Avery Barkley. She said I was entitled to know and she had to tell me because you wouldn't."
"Yeah, well, she got that right. Having your private business spread around is not very comforting for anyone."
"I can understand that, but you are not just anyone. You are a very important part of Highway 65 and a lot of people depend on you. Also, you need to know there are people at Highway 65 that you can depend on as well. You don't have to carry everything on your own shoulders. So, this problem you have with this girl, you want to talk about it?"
"No, not really, I doubt you could help."
"Well, don't be so sure about that. I have been known to be pretty helpful from time to time. Romantic issues are my specialty." She gave him a broad smile and poked his arm.
"I don't know. There is so much I don't understand about this whole situation and I need to work it out," he just started openly giving her the whole story. Even as he was doing it, he didn't know why he was telling her, but he just kept going. "It's just that I was really in love with her and I am sure she was with me. We spent a long friendship developing our feelings, until we realized it was love. It was the most real love I have ever experienced…I knew we were meant for life. There was a minor incident that upset us for a few weeks but we resolved that and we were back as normal…making plans for the future, talking marriage the whole thing. I really was deeply in love with her and I think I still might be. Then overnight, with no warning whatsoever she completely turned. She was breaking us up, she wanted nothing to do with me and she was really ugly and hurtful. Almost as if she regarded us as bitter enemies. A few days later I found out she was pregnant. That incident I mentioned earlier, she got hopelessly drunk one night and had an unintended liaison. This threw the parentage into doubt but we did tests and it was mine. Then she told me she wanted to terminate the pregnancy. I had to threaten her but I did convince her not to go through with it. The condition was I take and raise the child. I do think part of the reason she changed was because she had been in contact with this billionaire, Charlie Wentworth. She has gone with him. There are things going on I don't understand. I just need to figure out why? Maybe then I can do something about it or get over it…I don't know."
"That's interesting," Kristen said. "What could Wentworth offer her that you couldn't?"
"A pile of money, that's for sure but the guy is a snake. He had an affair with Juliette that broke up his first marriage. Should I mention Juliette's moral standards are pretty loose. I thought with us she had got past that but now it would appear she is still the same. He'll be unfaithful to Juliette as well if he hasn't been already plus he gets up to really weird activities if you know what I mean…he's a kink of the first order. Distorted, sexual, activities and she'll be expected to participate. His first wife did.
One thing Juliette did say however was that Wentworth didn't want the baby. I reckon she told him about it before I found out, maybe on that night before she broke us up. When I fronted her about the baby she said she was getting rid of it, it will get in her way and she was not going to be saddled with a kid."
"She didn't tell you about the baby you said, you found out some other way didn't you?" Kristen said.
"That's right Zoe told me. She's a backing singer. She saw Juliette with morning sickness."
"It's obvious why Juliette didn't tell you. It very much looks like she was going to have an abortion before you ever found out," Kristen was analyzing Juliette's behavior and she was forming some conclusions. "The only reason she would do that and not tell you is because she knew you would do exactly what you have done. Establish the parentage and if it was yours make her keep the child. Of course an abortion would also mean she could never stay with you. Her guilt would completely undermine your relationship. She could never face you with that on her conscience. The fact that she saw the child as getting in her way looks like she did not want to make the adjustments that a child would necessitate. Believe me a child puts a severe brake on the social life. I know. No more dances, girl friends or boy friends in fact friends in general come in pretty short supply. You don't even get the chance to meet anyone. No, the whole party scene goes out the window. The main focus is you and the child and not much else. It sounds like she didn't want to stop her party lifestyle. She would have none of those problems with Wentworth and still have the parties, the good times and the money to do whatever else she wanted. Travel, everything, no restrictions. Say, would you like to walk while we continue this?" They tossed the last of the bread to the ducks and started walking towards the road.
"I don't think Wentworth's money would be a factor for Juliette, she has plenty of her own," Avery said. He was getting on the same wavelength now. "You're pretty clever and I think you're right. She didn't want to be tied down. She thought she loved me but the baby changed all of that, woke her up to reality. Damned selfish of her when you think about it, but I guess she just showed her true character; she came first, last and in between, no-one else got a look in. Maybe if she was like that she did me a favor breaking us up. Imagine what I could have been in for if I knew about the baby and forced her to keep it? She didn't have to be so cruel about it though."
"Well that ugliness was probably really for her benefit," Kristen continued. "She loved you, it would now seem, of a sort, and she turned nasty as much to convince herself she didn't want you as she did to hurt you and try to turn you against her. She would have known how much you loved her, pretty callous of her really."
"Something else I don't understand is this whole Wentworth business," Avery said. "Juliette likes sex, although when we did it she called it making love. It seems that together we were a completely new experience for her."
"Nothing unusual about people liking to make love," Kristen said. "There are lots of them, some better than others." She looked directly into Avery's eyes.
"Yes, well," Avery cleared his throat at her comment. "It would seem Wentworth was not one of the good ones. Juliette commented that she almost always had to fake her reactions. Maybe she thinks it is a small price to pay for the other benefits. But even more strange, what does Wentworth want with her? He could have anyone he wanted, movie star, model any of the world's most glamorous women. Why pick her? She's tiny, has good looks but not anywhere near in the glamour class. Why her? I dare say it's not going to matter much now in any case. I was talking to her previous manager, Glenn Goodman, and he told me Wentworth is her new manager. She has most likely signed a management contract with him now. He's pretty slick. He'll have stitched her up good and proper with that contract. I'd reckon, whatever he wanted he's already got. I dare say I will find out in time. Almost certainly Juliette is going to become severely unglued in the future. I told her not to do it. I told her what he was like. She said she didn't believe me. Well, time will tell."
Avery thought about their conversation for a while. "So that's interesting Kristen," he came out of his deliberations. "Those comments on the adjustments you have to make for a baby. I dare say I'm going to find out first hand in a couple of months. I must admit it's got me worried. I know absolutely nothing about raising a child. This might become a nanny situation."
"Well, there's an idea," Kristen said. "I've got the ideal practice model for you…my daughter. I'm sure Tiffany won't mind. You could come around to my place and I can teach you the ropes. Mixing Formula, feeding, diapers, bathing, dressing, sleeping the whole works and you still have a couple of months to learn."
"You would do that?"
"I would like to very much. I told you how limiting a child can be. We could help each other out here. We can be friends and I can teach you to be a good mother. That will give us both what we're after."
"Friends?" Avery asked. This needs consideration.
"Yes, friends," Kristen said. "We've mixed pretty good this morning if that's any indication. I get to meet very few people and I don't really have anyone I can call a friend now. You won't be meeting many either. Yep! I think it's a good idea."
"Well, it does go against my rules. However, I think in this case we need to make an exception because circumstances have created a situation of mutual necessity. OK. Why not?"
"Avery and Kristen, friends, I like the sound of that," Kristen smiled at him and poked his arm.
Juliette was propped up in bed on a couple of big pillows. It was mid morning and she was still in her bathrobe. This pregnancy was getting her down. She was feeling large, heavy and lethargic and in no mood for her normal activities.
This arrangement with Wentworth was not going anywhere near how she thought it would or Wentworth said it would. It was a lot closer to Avery's summary. Three times she had found Wentworth in the guest house with different women. When she challenged him about it he just told her not to be upset because once she'd had the baby she could join in as well. That was something she had expected, to be a participant in Wentworth's extra activities and she had resigned herself to that. The variety may lead to some measure of satisfaction for her…Wentworth could not manage that.
Occasionally, he would come to her but it was always the same. The same boring technique, the same lack of consideration and her same lack of satisfaction. She knew now that ninety five percent of all her previous partners had learnt their sexual techniques from pornographic films. That was why they were all poor and all the same. The remaining five percent were brutes like Fordham.
Then there was Avery. He was in a class of his own. She remembered how he would make her close her eyes and then move close to her so she could feel his breath on her skin. He would tease her with kisses promised but not delivered, and then surprise her with a kiss somewhere intimate and unexpected. How he could arouse her with just a touch or kiss and he knew exactly where to touch or kiss. Her neck, her armpit was very sensitive as was her navel but what he did to her ears lifted her off the bed. God he was good. How he teased her to the point of begging, frustration, and unbearable tension and then gave her what she strived for. How she would explode immediately, out of control, clinging to him with arms, legs, gasping for breath. He made her feel special and precious. She will never have that again.
Now she regretted her actions. She had given up far more than she gained. As usual, Avery was right. That price she paid was too much. He would never take her back, not this time. No this time she made sure her betrayal was infinite, non reversible. He had warned her, begged her, but she didn't think it through. She was obsessed with this unwanted child and a head filled with promises and ideas from Wentworth all of which proved hollow.
Her country music career was gone. Wentworth took over as her manager and was worse than useless. She had lost her guitarist, song writing partner, her producer, the genius behind her music. He had not even got her a gig in the local café. She shed a tear, now Avery would find someone else, they would build a family and this new person will have the life she rejected. Yes, the price had been too great.
Her cell phone broke her thoughts. The name on the screen, Avery. She drew a short, surprised breath.
"Avery."
"Juliette,"
"How are you Avery?" She may have regrets but he would never know
"I'm fine. I rang just to touch base with you. You are only a couple of weeks from delivery and I just wanted to make sure everything was OK."
"Yes, everything is going well, the doctor said there are no complications. I have seen where the Highway 65 label is topping the charts all over the place. I read that you are the CEO now and very successful."
"We have some exciting new artists and some old ones as well. It's doing very well."
"I saw where your band is nominated for a CMA award. I bet Gunner, Scarlett and Deacon are pleased with that."
"That doesn't matter much we just want the label to be successful and we all want to be a part of that."
"It must be exciting."
"Yes it is. Look there is something I did want to talk to you about. Glenn told me that Wentworth is your manager now."
"Yes he is but he doesn't do anything for me."
"Have you signed anything with him, a contract?"
"Yes, I have signed a management contract with him. You know I am no good with the paperwork. I let him do it."
"What paperwork? You aren't working."
"He says there is always something to do, it never ends according to him."
"I want you to be very careful. If you ever have any doubts you can contact me. I know you are with Wentworth now but I don't trust him. You need to be careful."
"Avery, you are worrying for nothing. I can trust him with my business. He might not be the easiest to live with but he doesn't need my money, he has billions."
"Juliette, you need to be very careful and watch what is happening. There is something here that doesn't add up. Don't make another mistake."
"I'm not making a mistake. You hate me for leaving and you are trying to make things bad between Charlie and me. I'm not going to fall for it."
"OK Juliette, you suit yourself. I'll see you in two weeks."
"Goodbye."
Avery and Kristen began spending most of their free time together. Avery was in his 'mommy phase' as he had named it. Kristen was very complimentary about his development. In the two months since they had begun this arrangement he understood all the basics of looking after a baby. There had not been any specific mention of the friendship part of the deal. Avery guessed Kristen was just allowing it to develop under its own devices.
They had a fairly regular routine each evening. Kristen would spend about an hour or so instructing Avery and then Tiffany would be put to bed for the night. They would spend maybe thirty minutes of small talk after which he would leave.
He was starting to get into this baby business. He had prepared Tiffany's formula was feeding her. Kristen however must have decided now was a good time to change the normal routine. "I'm just about to cook a meal. Would you like to stay?" she asked.
"I'm not sure if that's such a good idea," he said.
"I think it's a great idea. We are friends remember. Friends are allowed to cook for each other. Now be honest, what meal are you going home to? Wait! Don't tell me, I bet it's either a hamburger or pizza. Right?"
"What makes you think that?"
"Because most men can't cook so it's takeout. Those that can cook can't be bothered so it's takeout. How's that for a guess?"
"OK, OK, I suppose you think you're pretty smart. That's what I was planning, hamburger and beer. But this is a new development. Meals start to sound like dates. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves here. We are just friends."
"One thing at a time, first, I win the dinner argument. I'm going to whip up a beef and rice stir fry and some crepes for dessert and a nice red wine chaser. How's that sound?"
"OK, you got me."
"Next up, this friends and dates thing," she said. 'It is OK for friends to date you know. Even if that date is only a home cooked meal. It's not some sort of long term commitment. Besides now that you have told me you eat junk food I think you will be eating here pretty regularly. We can't have the company CEO going down with food poisoning or worse. I told you before, men need looking after."
"OK, I guess I'll just give up on this one. I know better than get in a difference of opinion with a woman." He went and put Tiffany to bed.
"Putting Tiffany to bed reminds me Juliette is just about due. I'd better ring her and see how she's going."
"Juliette?"
"Avery."
"It's getting pretty close now but I haven't heard anything so I assume there has been no birth.
"That's right; I have arranged for a c-section. It's set for 11.00 in the morning in three days…Wednesday"
"OK. Did you still want me to take the baby?"
"Yes."
"Do want to at least see it?"
"No."
"Well, I'll be in Washington tomorrow afternoon. I'll pick you up because we have an appointment in court to finalize the necessary consent orders for sole parental responsibility and have them approved. I'll see you then. Bye."
"Looks like I'm going to Washington tomorrow. This parental business has to be legally approved and then I'll be a daddy. Looks like it'll be an early start though.
Kristen served the meal. "How early is early do you think?"
"Well I'm going to have to take Juliette to the court. It's a 9 – 10 hour drive so I suppose about 5.00 in the morning."
"If that's the case then I'm going with you," Kristen said.
"You don't have to do that. I'll be OK."
"I'm not going to take that chance. You are going to need breaks from driving and you'll probably need my help with the baby. You are not doing that alone."
"God, for a friend you can be a difficult woman."
"This is not even a point for discussion. I'm going. I'm ringing Rayna now and letting her know what's happening. She can mind the office until we get back and mom can look after Tiffany."
The early departure for Washington minimized traffic and they arrived at the Wentworth Mansion with plenty of time to spare.
Waiting in the court Juliette leaned across and said, "How do you feel about this? This will pretty much finalize our relationship."
"Well, I was very upset for quite a while but I'm getting adjusted to the idea now. This will probably be the last time we will see each other. I'm reorganizing my life. I have a child to consider now."
"Yes," Juliette said, she indicated towards Kristen. "I can see you have reorganized. Where on earth did you ever find that woman? She's about as beautiful as anyone I have ever seen."
"It's not what your twisted little mind thinks Juliette. She is a friend and my assistant at Highway 65."
"That might be your idea but it's definitely not hers."
"What do you mean?"
"You always missed what was in front of your face. That woman is in love with you." Just then Kristen looked across at them.
"Oh, yes," Juliette said. "She is seriously in love with you. Women know these things."
"I'm sure Kristen is just a friend she has never indicated anything else. You read too much into things."
"No! Not this time I don't." The orderly summoned them into the court.
Avery drove Juliette back to the Wentworth Mansion. "We have a suite at the Sofitel in Washington. We know where the hospital is. We will see you Wednesday a bit before 11.00. You have my number if you need me. We will take the child as soon as the hospital gives the OK. We will honor your request; we will ask them not to show you the baby. That is pretty sad though Juliette."
"I want this over as quickly as possible. I have already arranged with the doctors for a cesarean birth. Once that child is born it will no longer exist to me," she said.
"I'm sorry to hear that Juliette, I think that's tragic. What has the child ever done to you?"
"It got conceived."
"OK. You won't see the baby. But I am disappointed Juliette, you are not the person I thought you were. You may need me in the future but don't be surprised if you never see me again. Right now I do not want to know you. Good Bye."
They went to the hotel and checked into their suite.
"Which room do you want?" he asked Kristen. She walked into the nearest doorway.
"Avery walked across to the bed and sat down. His shoulders slumped. "How could someone hold an unborn child in contempt like that? It's the most heartless thing I have ever heard of." He was thinking aloud.
Kristen heard him, "Well, she was going to kill it, but some people are dead inside Avery. You cannot feel for them. They can't even feel for themselves. Juliette is not a kind person. Her selfishness has left her empty inside. She cannot think of anyone but herself. I honestly believe you will see that what has happened here today is for the best and the start of a beautiful future for you and your child."
"How about we go down to the bar and have a few drinks? I think I can use them. Then we can go for a meal?" he asked her.
"OK I'm in favor of that."
Sitting in the bar was relaxing. Juliette's attitude made the day very stressful and he appreciated the opportunity to unwind. Kristen ordered a martini but Avery was basic as usual…beer. It didn't matter where he was, at home or in a sophisticated hotel. The drink was the same. "It's been a long day," he said. "It really is great just to kick back and relax. I'm glad there are not too many days like this."
"Yes," she said, "I know exactly where you are coming from. At the same time though you have achieved a lot…Daddy Avery…got a nice ring to it"
He laughed, "Yep, I have to agree and with your input I am nowhere near as scared about the prospect now."
"You're welcome," she said. "I told you a while back we were a good fit, friends for life."
"Well its sure looking more and more like you were right. Thank You."
"So, back there at the courthouse you and your ex seemed to be involved in quite a discussion. Did she have much to say?"
"Not really, talking is not one of Juliette's strong points."
"That surprises me," Kristen said. "She spent the entire time looking at me. I really had a definite feeling I may have been the subject of the conversation."
"She may have mentioned you, but it was not important."
"It is to me, I'd like to know what she said."
"Kristen, can we drop it. Juliette's opinions don't matter."
"As I said, they do to me. Avery I want you to tell me what she said."
"Look, I didn't believe her so it doesn't matter."
"Avery, tell me please, although I am pretty sure what she said."
"She said you loved me but I told her it was nonsense…"
Kristen cut him off, "She was right…it's true. I do love you. In fact I'm deeply in love with you."
"This is right off base," he was suddenly angry. "It wrecks everything. I am deliberately avoiding those involvements even more so with someone I work with. Whatever we had, friendship, everything ends right now. I'm not interested in love. I'm sorry Kristen but whatever we had is finished. Our involvement will be limited to work only." He stood and started to walk away. She caught his arm he could see tears filling her eyes.