Seth Hazlitt, M.D. strode into The Plaza Hotel in New York City. The hotel was the grandest one he had ever seen and he had been to Europe, although many years ago when bombs were falling during the war. When Jessica called him yesterday to tell him there would be an awards ceremony for mystery writers Saturday night and she was one of the guests of honor, he was excited for her. She told him he had to come down and be her date for the evening.
She was bubbling over with excitement and it was infectious. He could imagine her wide smile and as the pitch of her voice rose, she exuberantly begged him to come down for the weekend. There was a dinner tonight and the award ceremony tomorrow night and then they would have a leisurely Sunday before returning to Cabot Cove on Monday.
They would stay at her apartment, naturally he would be in her now fully furnished guest room. She had given him a key to her apartment after his first visit and he used it to drop off his luggage. She had hoped he would be able to attend the dinner tonight but it was a close call and he only just made it due to New Yorkers eating later than people in Cabot Cove. This dinner wasn't even starting until eight and she told him the meal more than likely would be served at nine or later.
He was wearing his best suit, a dark gray tweed with a blue shirt that had white piping, a blue and gray bowtie, and a polished pair of black leather oxfords. He will wear his only tuxedo tomorrow night. Barely stopping himself from whistling, he strode into the restaurant and stepped up to the maitre d.
"Dr. Seth Hazlitt," he boomed authoritatively. The gentlemen quickly perused the guest list and snapped his finger. A host appeared immediately and he was asked to follow. They skirted around many tables before reaching a room in the back.
About forty tables dressed in black and white tablecloths were stationed around the room. The centerpieces were red roses and white carnations with that puffy greenery florists like to use. He would bet his last dollar that the crystal on the table was real and the silverware needed to be polished between uses. The thick carpeting beneath his feet was plush. This was really a lavish gathering. Crystal and gold plated chandeliers hung from the ceiling.
"Seth!" called Jessica. She was moving hurriedly in his direction, pausing only to touch a shoulder or smile in greeting at someone calling her name. She reached him quickly and kissed his cheek in greeting. Her perfume wafted his way and he inhaled deeply. She smelled so good and she looked wonderful.
Seth immediately felt out of place. Jessica was dressed in a royal blue gown that screamed money. He knew her jewelry was real gold with real diamonds. Her dress was modest and didn't show too much cleavage but you couldn't help noticing her fabulous figure. Her makeup was more dramatic than usual but wasn't clownish. She looked beautiful while he felt like the country yokel that just fell off the turnip truck. He glanced at the other men in the room and saw the dinner jackets and black suits and ties. Maybe he should have worn his black funeral suit.
She pulled him along, pausing to introduce him to strangers at times, before standing before their table. He pulled her chair out for her before sitting and she introduced him to the occupants of the table. He knew her publisher, Vaughn Buckley and his wife Olga, of course but the others were strangers. He sat quietly while everyone spoke about writers, marketing, and public appearances. A couple of people, with gracious manners spoke with him for a minute or two before returning to other conversations. The waiters were highly trained and efficient. Bread baskets were on the table in the blink of an eye but no one reached for any so he didn't either.
Drinks were flowing freely and his drink order was requested. He saw that Jessica had a glass of white wine in front of her but Vaughn was drinking martinis so he decided to do the same. He quickly drank his first one but lingered over the second. He hadn't eaten yet and didn't want to embarrass Jessica. He looked at the menu card. Prime rib, Dover sole, or the vegetarian option. The side dishes looked interesting and the desserts listed were incredible. Salads were being distributed and he asked for Thousand Island dressing. Too late, he noticed most people were requesting balsamic vinegar or Italian dressing if any.
The waiter nodded to him though and Seth watched him depart for a few minutes and return with a small dish of Thousand Island dressing. He doused his salad with it and began eating but stopped almost immediately. No one else was really eating. There was a piece of lettuce or tomato on the forks but it never reached their mouths. They just used it as a discussion aid. Even Jessica was engrossed in a conversation with the man on her other side and wasn't even looking at her salad.
He turned to his other side to speak with the woman sitting beside him and although she smiled and spoke in return, he couldn't help noticing her glancing at his suit several times. He smiled politely in return before turning back to his salad. He finished it and looked around. No one was paying him any attention at all so he switched salad plates with Jessica and ate hers as well. She never even noticed.
His prime rib was cooked to perfection, medium rare. This was accompanied by roasted acorn squash, roasted brussel sprouts, and a few stems of asparagus. His baked potato was infused with garlic and herbs and he wished he could get the recipe. Jessica spoke to him briefly while they ate but her attention was called away again and again.
He decided to visit the men's room before dessert was served. The restroom was even more luxurious if that was possible. The attendant inside offered him a warm wet cloth to clean his hands before entering the stall. Upon exiting, the attendant was there to assist in any way possible. There was a shelf with various colognes and after shave lotions, disposable razors, single use combs, condoms, tissues. After washing his hands another attendant appeared but it turned out he was a butler of sorts. He re-tied Seth's bowtie, brushed off his jacket, and wiped his shoes of dust. He was going to leave but the butler informed him the exit was through the other door. He left a tip in the discreetly placed dish serving that purpose.
This door turned out to be a lounge of sorts. There were chairs and several were filled with men on their phones and one man reading the newspaper. Seth took a seat in the corner with his back to the room. The painting on the wall was a copy of Van Gogh's The Starry Night. He was about to stand and leave when he heard the bathroom door open and two men walking across the room to the exit.
"Did you see JB's date? What's it like up in Maine?"
The older of the two men laughed. "Probably moose or cows galore. I don't see how she can live in Maine. Maybe that's why she stays in New York so often. I wanted to bring her as my date tonight too."
The voices quieted as they exited and Seth felt himself slump. He felt so out of place in her New York life and now he looked out of place too. He stood to leave but once again another pair of men exited. He thought only women went to restrooms together.
"Did you see the man next to JB Fletcher? He's her doctor friend." The man paused for effect. "He's her date tomorrow night too. I can't wait to see what he wears but I bet he wears plaid." The other man laughed as they left.
Seth harrumphed and muttered under his breath but it was just for show. He was letting Jessica down. She seemed happy to see him but it's not like she would ever be rude. No, she would stand by him to her dying breath and tell them all off. Giving himself a pep talk he strode out the room without stopping this time. He wanted her to be proud of him. He wished the night was over.
The dessert cart was rolling through the floor as Seth seated himself. Jessica wasn't in her chair next to him so he placed a slice of hazelnut and chocolate mousse pie in front of him. Ten minutes later he finished and since no one was paying attention he took several dainty cream puffs off the cart as it went by. The waitress manning the cart smiled at him. The lights dimmed and he noticed several people seated on the stage and a man standing at a podium.
The yakkety-yak part of the night was beginning. Seth listened as people congratulated themselves and puffed up over who was doing what to whom. The lame jokes that were tittered over bored him. He was wondering where Jessica was when she stood up from her seat on the stage and spoke a few words. He listened intently as she told a few warm jokes and then she winked at him! He loved her winks. He knew she didn't wink at anyone else either. He smiled warmly at her and continued to listen. A moment or two later she was finished and everyone stood and applauded. He wasn't sure why, he didn't even care. He just wanted to have Jessica near him again.
He heard a loud stage whisper behind him and off to the side a little. His ears perked up when he heard the comment about the doctor from Maine being JB's date and wondering if he was her date tomorrow as well. Whoever was talking was quite insistent that he was the one that was supposed to take her. It was his turn to escort her. He had bought a new tuxedo and was ready to wear it. Seth listened to the not so quiet complaints and felt lower than low. Did Jessica really enjoy going out with those escorts?
People were standing and mingling now so he stood to try to locate Jessica. She was standing near the stage in a group of people so he ambled in her direction. The night was almost over and they would be able to go home. Only they were discussing going to another bar or something for drinks. It was after eleven! Jessica finally spotted him and came over beside him.
"Seth! There you are! Vaughn invited us to Brodericks for drinks." Her sparkling eyes sought out his eyes for acceptance. "It'll only be for an hour or so. Vaughn has his limo so we can ride along."
Seth didn't think his ego could take another restaurant dressed as he was. Here he was lost in a crowd. It seemed like this next place was smaller, more intimate. "Jess, I've been up since four-thirty. You go on and I'll see you at home," he said softly.
"No, I'll come with you, dear." She smiled at him and went over to Vaughn to express their regrets. Vaughn insisted they take his limo for the short drive and it would return to take the others to Brodericks.
Seth practically dragged her through the room and out the door to the hotel lobby. He slowed down when he saw she was struggling to keep up. She talked about the evening while they waited for the limo and he blew out a sigh of relief that it was over.
"Mighty fancy dinner tonight," he commented.
Jessica agreed. "They aren't usually so large but I do love coming here." One of the valets came over with a note for her just as the limo arrived.
Seth saw one of the men that had made a comment in mens room earlier. As Jessica was handed into the luxurious car he heard him speak again. "It must be a treat for him to ride in a limo. What does she see in him?"
Seth turned back to glare at him and saw the smirk on the man's face. He looked at Seth's suit before adjusting his own jacket to point out the obvious differences. Seth turned back and got into the waiting car.
Jessica chattered about the dinner throughout the ride home. Seth commented when expected and complimented her. He hadn't seen her so excited in a long while. Is this what her life is like when he isn't around or is this just a very special occasion and she's excited about it? He tried not to appear affected by his shame for underdressing. If he were in Cabot Cove he wouldn't even care.
He knew she had readily available escorts provided by her publishing company. Handsome men with empty heads and lecherous eyes in his opinion.
At her building, they rode the elevator together and he had his key ready when they reached her apartment.
"I'm sorry your night ended early, Jess. I'm just exhausted."
"Seth, it's been a very long day for you. It's midnight. You go on to bed and I'm going to check my messages and see if I need to return any calls." She kissed his cheek and called out goodnight while she went to her room to change into a pair of pajamas and remove her makeup.
Seth quickly changed into his own pair of pajamas then took a look at his tuxedo. The lapels were shiny and the buttons dated it. It would pass muster in Cabot Cove but it was shabby by New York standards. Since he couldn't buy one off the rack given his nonstandard sizing, he sat heavily on the bed. He struggled mentally wondering how disappointed she was going to be when she saw him dressed in his tuxedo. It wasn't often he needed to wear one. Should he buy another?
Deciding to get a glass of water he opened the door to go to the kitchen when he heard her on the phone in the living room. He was about to close the door to give her privacy when he heard his name.
"Vaughn, I'll ask Seth in the morning if he'll be up to Sunday brunch. I think he would enjoy it." She laughed lightly at something and was walking around the room if the noises she made were any indication. She hung up a few moments later and he was about to leave again when she pressed the button on her answering machine.
"JB! Lloyd here. I understand you have a date for the ceremony but wanted to offer my assistance. Your gentleman was completely outclassed so if I might lend a tie or something let me know." He heard Jessica snort in disgust which lifted his heart. She forwarded the next message.
"Mrs. Fletcher, sorry to leave a message so late but I thought it necessary. I know how embarrassed you must have felt to have your friend appear without having time to dress properly. It's Hank Friedman. If my help is needed, I am friends with the owners of several shops that can assist tomorrow." Jessica deleted the message and listened to two more offering her congratulations.
Seth silently closed his door. He didn't want to face her. He couldn't face her. He couldn't afford her lifestyle. A new tuxedo was several hundred dollars and money was currently tight, as usual. The plane ticket and cab fare from the airport set him back several hundred dollars already. He wouldn't complain about it. He'd gladly pay to spend time with Jessica.
He finally heard her return to her bedroom and he slipped out of his room and got a glass of water. He paced his room when he returned, no longer sleepy. He could hear light murmuring and realized Jessica was in her bedroom on her phone. He didn't think much of it until he heard his name and laughter. Was she making fun of his attire? No, that wasn't her style. She did tease him about his clothes sometimes. She always smiled at his bow ties and once asked him how many hats he had but she was never cruel about it.
He had to get out of New York. What excuse could he give? She knew him well enough that a lie was not going to work. She had invited him down for the awards ceremony though. There were several people that could escort her if he wasn't around. She gets awards all of the time. It wasn't being held at that fancy hotel either. It was being held in a theater. He would leave her a note and she could find it in the morning. He debated with himself a few minutes longer before getting dressed and packing his belongings. He would come up with an explanation the next time he saw her. There was only so much humiliation he could handle.
Jessica didn't wake early. After only four hours of sleep she yawned widely and rose from her bed. Seth was probably awake. She went into the kitchen surprised that the coffee wasn't started. The apartment was silent. Too silent. Seth wasn't known for being quiet. He snores when asleep and talks to himself when awake. She made her way to her guest room. She peeked inside and her eyes opened wider when she saw the bed was made. She entered the room. Had Seth gone for a walk? She didn't see any luggage. She went to the closet and opened it. Empty except for a few coats she stored there. She walked over to the dresser and saw a note propped up with her name on it.
Jess, I had to dash home. Something came up but I'll see you when you get home. I hope you aren't too inconvenienced. I'm sure you'll win and be the belle of the ball. Seth
She fingered the note. What could have caused Seth to run out? It didn't seem like an emergency. He would have woken her up. A patient in need? No, he had coverage and he would be returning on Monday. She tried to puzzle it out as she went to shower.
After dressing she went back to her message machine to listen and take notes. She had returned a few messages last night but skipped several to call this morning. As she listened to the messages she was dismayed to hear a few of them. She hadn't paid close attention last night but now she was irritated. How rude some people could be never surprised her but to insult someone's dress? Someone that you knew was a good friend of hers? The nerve of some people. Oh no, Seth might have heard when she played the messages last night. He wouldn't have left though, would he? He had thicker skin than that and he had to know that it didn't matter to her. He might not have been dressed to the nines last night but then he always looked good to her nowadays. She was always so pleased to see him, especially when it had been a few weeks. She knew he would wear his gray tweed suit, it was his best one. It wasn't formal dinner wear but she didn't expect him to buy a new suit for one dinner.
She could admit to being disappointed that he wouldn't be at the awards ceremony. She would have to rewrite her speech in case she won.
She had been busy writing and teaching but the past couple of weeks she had time to daydream during pauses and her daydreams were filled with Seth. They had been good friends for a long time but she noticed that he paid closer attention to her than ever before. When she winked at him last night, his smile grew so bright. She hoped it conveyed to him that he was special to her. She wondered if he knew she only winked at him. She didn't believe she was infatuated at her age, no, she was falling in love with her best friend.
She picked up her phone and called him. No answer. Sighing, she sat down to rewrite her acceptance speech, struggling to find different words. She tried calling him a couple of hours later but again he didn't answer. She wondered what time he left. Surely he would have arrived by now. She reread his note seeking more clarification but there weren't any additional hints. She called Vaughn and Olga to let them know Seth had to leave and he immediately told her he would find her an escort but Jessica demurred. She asked him to invite her publicist, Marcie Margoles, to attend instead. Marcie always went on and on about events that she never got to attend and Jessica knew she would be thrilled. She didn't want to spend the time bored to tears. He agreed, probably in fear that she would back out altogether.
She took another quick shower that evening before dressing. She tried Seth again and began to worry that maybe there had been some kind of emergency. The evening was well attended and she reacquainted herself with several authors she admired. She won mystery writer of the year and was very popular that evening. She went to the after party with several others and it was nearly three AM when she arrived home. She agreed to go to brunch at eleven so she hurriedly got into bed but not before checking her machine to see if Seth had called. He hadn't.
Unsurprisingly Jessica overslept and barely had enough time to dress for brunch but she detested being late so she managed to arrive on time. Vaughn had invited a group of people to dine with them so it was a seating of twelve. The food was good, the conversation was great, but Jessica sorely missed Seth's presence. She couldn't help comparing him to other men at the table and as usual they couldn't compete. Oh, they were handsome men, well some of them, and they could converse competently but there was no depth to their words.
Deciding not to wait, she headed home Sunday afternoon. She and Seth were going to have to talk because she wasn't going to allow him to blow her off for some trivial reason. She knew she would have to tread lightly. He didn't like the disparity in incomes that weren't in his favor. She knew he was ashamed that he couldn't afford many luxuries but surely he knew her better, knew he was more important than any amount of money. She didn't want to offend him but she was hurt that he would run off.
Cabot Cove always comforted her. She loved being near the ocean, the ever present breeze, the familiar homes and shops. She didn't have luggage so she had the cab drop her off at Seth's office. It was well after dinner time. His light was on upstairs in his private quarters.
The front door was unlocked so he hadn't gone to closed up for the night yet. She stood in the foyer wondering if she should just head upstairs or call out to him. She decided to call out while climbing the stairs.
"Seth, are you here?"
"I'll be right out," he announced hurriedly.
Jessica continued on until she reached his bedroom. He was hurriedly picking up clothes off his bed and returning them to his closet.
"What are you doing?" she asked. She entered the room and began picking up clothes that were in a pile. She realized he was sorting his clothes and the pile she was sorting were things he wasn't going to keep if the state of the clothing was being considered.
Seth was looking at her sheepishly. He had his pride though and turned away.
"Seth, I've never wanted to have this discussion with you and I hope I won't have to ever do it again." She walked over to him, pulled on his arm, and led him to sit on a portion of his cluttered bed.
"When I invited you to come down I knew you were going to wear your gray tweed suit. It's your best suit and I was pleased you wore it for me. You don't wear it often. I wasn't ashamed of you. I was thrilled that you came at almost a moment's notice to share what I hoped would be a special night with me." She paused to look him in the eye. "Do you think I care what a few empty headed men said about you? They don't know you and I do. I knew you would wear your tuxedo to the ceremony. I wanted you there no matter what you wore." She took her notes from her pocket. "I want you to read my original acceptance speech out loud. I had to rewrite it."
Seth cleared his throat and began reading aloud.
"Thank you so much for this honor. I'd like to thank my publisher, Vaughn Buckley, for being the best in the business. My publicist, Marcie, who is with me tonight and my agent, Carl who could not make it. I'd also like to thank the most wonderful man in the world, my dearest friend, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, who dropped everything to be with me tonight. He has been with me through thick and thin. He had the difficult duty of helping me through writer's block, the occasional temper tantrum when things weren't working out, and who cooked the best meals when I forgot to buy groceries. I'm more than grateful for the sacrifice he makes for me without complaint, well without too many complaints. I love you, Seth. I love you all."
"So you won? Congratulations." he said meekly. "You deserved it."
"I deserve a man that's not ashamed to stand by my side," she deflected back to him.
Seth struggled to get the words out. "I can't be a part of that life. I don't have the right clothes. I can't afford the right clothes!" He nearly shouted the words out. He looked up at her.
"You walked out on me over a few dollars? I'm hurt."
Seth looked at her in shock."I'm not a famous writer," he began.
"I'm not a physician and surgeon," she countered. She sat beside him.
"I don't make millions of dollars!" he exclaimed, raising his voice.
"Neither do I!" She shouted back. Both stared at each other before falling into laughter.
Seth subsided first. "Jess, I didn't want to embarrass you in front of your friends."
"Seth, you're my friend. Vaughn and Olga are my friends. The others are just acquaintances that don't care about me." She picked up his hand. "I would never feel embarrassed with you by my side." She entwined her fingers with his. "If it bothers you, we can go shopping…" Jessica stopped because he was already shaking his head.
"I am not a charity case!"
"Is that how you see me? As a charity case? You take care of me without complaint. You watch over my house when I'm away. You cook for me, repair my broken appliances, take me along on some of your trips, drive me almost everywhere…I don't understand why you feel you can support me but I can't spend a few dollars on you. I have nothing else to give you. Sure, I can play a few games of chess but what else have I done?" She brought his fist to her lips and kissed it.
"Why is it that men are so hung up on finances? We go dutch when we eat out, we pay our own way when we travel. I want to enjoy more travels with you but I recognize you don't always have the availability and last minute flights are expensive."
"I just feel like less of a man that I don't have the resources to do the things with you that I'd like." he muttered.
"And you can't accept my paying for things?" she asked gently.
He shook his head no. "I know I'm a failure, Jess."
"Oh my darling! Is that how you see yourself?" Jessica grasped his head with both of her hands. "I was a school teacher making far less than you. Did you see me as a failure? I was doing something I enjoyed. I considered myself a success. I consider you one as well." Her blue eyes blazed.
Seth felt elated. She called him her darling.
"Seth, this weekend wasn't a normal one. I wanted you with me, to share it with me not to lord it over you."
"Of course not, Jess. It wasn't you. It was everyone else." Seth defended.
"I find it hard to believe Vaughn and Olga would be so rude."
"Well, no not them and a few others at our table but everyone else."
Jessica's lips twitched and he knew she was fighting a smile. "And do you care what everyone thinks? The woman that sat next to you at the table told someone that my dress was too young for me. Another woman in the ladies room asked me how much plastic surgery I've had."
Seth looked affronted. "Your dress was beautiful! It flattered your curves and ignited fires in men all over the room! Plastic surgery? Don't pay any attention to those…" he trailed off as he realized what he was saying.
"You're correct that our relationship isn't equitable. I take far more than I give and you give far more than you take. If I had to wait until things are even, we'd never see each other and I can't bear the thought." she admitted. "I'd rather we give what we can and take what we need."
"I'm not one of those men that take advantage of women, Jess." he pleaded.
"Well, I'd like to think that one day you'll finally take advantage of me," she quipped in return.
Seth blinked as her words registered. "I…oh…it's…"
Jessica raised her eyebrows. "Unless you'd rather wait until your earnings grow larger and you work impossible hours first?"
Seth shook his head vigorously. "No!"
"Are you sure? What I want, money can't buy." She stood slowly. "Think things over and let me know if you think you could handle having more of me…in your life." She leaned down and kissed him lightly on the lips. She turned and left the room.
She wasn't as confident as she went downstairs and out the front door. Slowly walking down the street her heart fell. She thought he would have caught up to her by now. She turned to look back but even though it was dark, his porch light was on and she didn't see him.
She must have blown it. She wounded his pride. She trudged home slowly and entered her kitchen. She took out her kettle and poured water inside.
"Aren't you going to offer me any?" Seth asked. He was sitting at her kitchen table.
"Oh!" Jessica exclaimed with her hand on her chest. "Seth, you startled me."
He stood and took the kettle from her hands and placed it on the stove. He gently grabbed her shoulders.
"Just so you know, I'm a little opinionated, occasionally stubborn, and have been known to lose my temper once or twice. You think you can handle that?"
"Well," she drawled. "I've heard most of your opinions and fortunately agree with most of them, I'm certain I have you beat in the stubbornness department, and you won't be the first two-year old I've had to deal with having a temper tantrum."
"Two-year old, hmmm?" He leaned forward and pecked her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"No argument?" she whispered against his lips.
"It depends. Am I admitting I'm wrong or are you?"
"Oh, I'm definitely admitting you're wrong, my dear."
"Just goes to prove even I can make a mistake," he admitted.
"Just kiss me."
"Gladly," and he did precisely that, over and over again.