Reese nervously waited as the telephone rang. When a voice finally answered, "hello," she was almost too startled to speak.
"Is Blaine there?"
"This is him."
"Oh, hi. This is Reese."
"Oh hey, Reese. How's it going?"
"Fine. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing good." After a moment of awkward silence Blaine said, "I was thinking of calling you. I'm working on a project. You want to join me?"
"What kind of project?" Reese asked eagerly.
"It's a surprise. Can you meet me at 6:00?"
"Sure, where at?" When Blaine answered, Reese thought she had misheard him. "Where?" she asked, but when he repeated the place she realized that she had heard him correctly the first time. "Ok, I'll see you there," she said slowly as she hung up the phone. "What is he up to?"
Amanda wandered around the room, straightening and rearranging everything in the room, too anxious to stand still. "Do you think I should bring out some appetizers now or wait until she gets here?"
"Just sit down and relax," Andrew suggested, motioning to the empty seat next to him on the sofa.
Amanda sighed and took a seat, but her nerves wouldn't let her sit still. She looked over at Alma. "How can you be so calm? Aren't you nervous?"
"No, why should I be?"
"We're about to meet our half-sister for the first time. It's a big deal. I wonder what she's like."
When the doorbell rang, Amanda jumped up, but didn't go directly to the door. "That must be her."
Andrew stepped up, much to Amanda's relief, "I'll answer it."
When Andrew opened the door he was greeted by a familiar face.
"Andy? What a surprise to see you!" Vanessa greeted Andrew with a big hug.
Stunned, Amanda turned pale, "What are you doing here?" When she saw Quentin follow Vanessa into the room, the pieces started to fall into place. Her jaw dropped. It couldn't be.
Quentin could tell that he had just walked into the middle of something, but he nervously made the introductions. "Mrs. Martin, Miss May, I'd like to introduce you to your mother's heir. This is Vanessa Barrett."
Amanda gasped and without a word stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
Reese walked into the visitor's room of the mental hospital where Blaine had asked her to meet him. She found Blaine chatting with Sebastian Barrett's daughters.
"Hi. What's going on?" she asked as she approached the group.
"We're going to see our mother," Cassandra answered happily, before turning to Blaine with a bright smile. "It was so nice of you to set this up, Blaine. Thank you."
"Zara? Cassandra?" Serena called out in disbelief as she entered the room. "It's really you? Look at you," she started to cry as her daughters hurried over to greet her for the first time in years.
As the mother and daughters embraced, Blaine and Reese moved aside. Blaine whispered to Reese, "I'll be right back."
After hugging both of her daughters, Serena took a step back to look at them. "I can't believe how grown up you are. You're both so beautiful."
"We must take after you," Zara said, laughing through her tears.
"I didn't think we'd ever see you again," Cassie said quietly.
"Didn't you know we'd be together again?" Serena asked. "I knew we would be. I didn't know how long it would take, but I knew it would happen someday."
I'm glad it's happening now," Zara said. "After everything that's happened we really need you, even if we can only see you during visiting hours."
"I have good news," Blaine interrupted as he approaching the group.
"I talked to the front desk and you're going to be released. Everything you said about your ex-husband is true. The doctors don't think you need to stay here."
"You're kidding! That's wonderful news," Zara exclaimed.
Cassie turned to Blaine gratefully, "How can I ever thank you?"
"Don't worry about it," he shrugged.
Cassandra looked warmly into his eyes, resisting the urge to throw her arms around him and kiss him.
Blaine turned to Serena, "You just need to sign some papers at the desk and you'll be released."
"Let's go do it," Zara said eagerly, leading her smiling mother to the desk while Cassandra lingered behind.
Blaine walked over to Reese who was blinking the tears from her eyes, "I think it's so wonderful what you did, bringing a family back together. I just wish . . ."
"Wish what?"
"That could be me someday," Reese said suddenly embarrassed. "That probably sounds selfish."
"No, it doesn't," Blaine insisted. "Maybe your wish will come true. I mean, we found Mrs. May's long lost daughter and Serena. If you have family out there I'm sure we can find them. Maybe that could be our next big adventure."
Reese smiled at him, "I'd like that. I've missed, um, our . . .adventure." she trailed off quietly and Blaine just nodded. "We, um, I was thinking that maybe we should get together, even if we don't have a project to work on."
"Sure, sounds like fun."
"Ok," Reese said with a shy smile. She had decided to let what she wanted to say go unsaid, but Blaine could tell she was holding something back.
"What is it?"
"I was thinking that when we get together it could maybe be more like a date? That is, if you still want to."
Blaine was surprised. "I thought you didn't date guys you work with."
"I don't, but we don't really work together that much and I - I think I can make an exception."
"Ok," Blaine smiled. "Sounds good to me. When should I pick you up?"
"Amanda, what's wrong?" Andrew asked as he walked into the bedroom a few minutes after Amanda had slammed the door behind her.
"Do you even have to ask?" she hissed.
Andrew blinked dumbly, "Yes. Why did you run off like that?"
"That woman, that Vanessa, the barmaid," Amanda sputtered. "She can't be my sister."
"Why not? Because she works in a bar? She was raised by a good family."
"No, that's not it."
"Then what? Why not give her a chance? Once you get to know her, you'll find out that she's a really nice person."
Amanda rolled her eyes and mumbled under her breath, "That's the problem."
Meanwhile, in the living room, an awkward silence passed. Alma sat down and offered Vanessa and Quentin a seat. Quentin declined and said he had to go, but Vanessa joined Alma on the sofa.
"So, we're half-sisters," Vanessa started, trying to break the ice. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Vanessa."
"Alma. I thought your name was Dorothy."
"It is or was. I had it changed when I decided to become an actress, but my family and old friends still call me Dorothy. You can too if you'd like. I answer to either."
"Which ever you prefer," Alma shrugged.
"So, tell me about yourself, Alma. Are you married? Have any kids? Do you work?"
"I'm a teacher and I'm not married."
"What do you teach?" Vanessa asked with interest.
"Elementary. Third grade."
"I bet that's a fun age. Do you like it?"
"I love it," Alma said, starting to warm slightly. "Getting back into teaching has been the best thing that's happened to me. It's changed . . .everything for me."
"Really? That's great when you find something that you feel so passionate about," Vanessa said with a warm smile. "Why did you get away from it?" When Alma's expression darkened, Vanessa worried that she had hit a sore topic. "If you don't want to talk about it, just say so. We'll forget I even asked."
Alma shook her head. "It was because of mother. When she got sick I had to stay home and take care of her. I didn't start working again until after Amanda got married."
"Oh," Vanessa said quietly, reading Alma's expression. "It must have been tough on you."
Alma shrugged. "I did what had to be done."
"You know, I think we should get together again sometime. I'd really like to get to know you better and hear more about our mother. Maybe visit her grave. If it's ok with you. You don't have to answer right away. You can think about it and make up your mind."
"No, it's ok," Alma answered. "We can get together."
"Great," Vanessa smiled.
When the bedroom door opened, the two women looked up. They saw Andrew walk out alone, with a defeated expression. "I'm sorry. Amanda . . .well, she's a little overwhelmed. Maybe we can do this another time, when she's had a chance to let this all soak in."
"I understand," Vanessa said as she rose to leave. "I know this is an awkward situation for all of us. Give me a call or have her call me if she changes her mind."
"I will."
"It's nice to see you, Andrew," she said clasping his hands in farewell. "You have a lovely apartment." She turned to Alma and waved. "And it's nice to meet you, Alma. Give me a call sometime soon."
As the door closed behind Vanessa, Alma crossed her arms in front of her and exchanged a look with Andrew, who just shrugged.
No comments:
Post a Comment