Leana sat back down and picked up the stack of letters and postcards. Richie looked over, “what’s all that?” “Nothing, just…” she sighed. “What are we doing Richie?” He closed the scrapbook and set it aside. “I’m not sure. Seeing you the other night brought back a lot. I haven’t thought about you for a long time and then all of a sudden here you are.” She understood. “I know what you mean. I have been a bit out of sorts myself.” He glanced down at the papers in her hand, noticing his own handwriting. “You didn’t answer my question though,” he pointed at her hands, “what is all that?”
Leana looked down at her hands and then back up at him. What could she do but tell him the truth. “These are the letters and postcards you wrote me from the road.” His eyes widened in surprise. “You saved them?” Leana nodded her head, her voice thick with emotion when she finally spoke. “Your words were all I had left of you after we split up. Part of me just couldn’t let go. I figured if I held on to them, I would always have a part of you with me. I guess that was just the young girl/first love part of me wanting to hold on to something, wanting to believe what we had was real.” She put the letters into the box along with the rest of the stuff.
Richie slid off the couch to kneel by her. He was moved by what she had said. He took her hand, “Leana, look at me.” She raised her head, her teary green eyes meeting sad brown ones. “I can’t take back what I did to you and I am sorry for it. It has been a long time and I am not that guy any more Leana. I have changed and I am sure you have too. But what I want to know is, can we get past it? Can we try again? Will you let me prove to you that I am a better man now than I was then?”
Leana didn’t know what to say to him. He was saying everything she had ever wanted to hear from him. “Richie, I…, I don’t know. I am so afraid to get hurt again. We tried it once and it didn’t work. Who’s to say it will be different now?” Richie stood and paced the room, “Unless we try, how will we know?” Leana stood and went to him. She took his hands in hers and looked up into his face, “It’s been a long time Richie,” his eyes met hers and she saw sadness but she also saw a flicker of hope there. “I am not the same girl I was then. You may not like me much anymore.” He squeezed her hands, “I doubt that, but I am willing to find out.”
“We’ll have to take it slow.”
“As slow as you want darlin’.”
“Okay, but just one thing.” “What’s that?” She pulled her hands from his and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Can we start with a hug?” He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. They stood that way for a while, just holding each other. The words to song he and Jon wrote came to mind as they stood there.
If we take the time to do it right, I know we'll pull through
If it took all my life, I'd prove it to you
If that's what it takes, that's what I'd do
If that's what it takes...
Starting over wouldn’t be easy he thought, but he was going to do whatever it took to make it work this time.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Chapter 13
Richie and Jon sat at his kitchen table finishing their coffee. Dave and Tico had left to go back home and Jon wasn’t leaving til later. Jon looked at Richie, “you should go talk to her.” Richie nodded “I know, but I have no idea what to say to her.” Jon got up and took his cup to the sink, “you started off right last night by apologizing, go with that.” Richie’s eyes widened “how did you know that?” Jon smiled at his friend, “she told me this morning. We used to talk all the time. She was like the sister I never had. Did you forget that too?” Richie shook his head, “yeah, I guess I did. I forgot how tight we all used to be. Those were some good times weren’t they?” “Yeah, they were. But now you need to go fix things with her. You were happy with her man. She was good for you.” Richie got up and grabbed his keys and turned to Jon. “If I’m not back by the time you leave, lock up, huh?” Jon grinned at him, “you got it.” Richie shook Jon’s hand and gave him a brotherly hug, “thanks man.”
As he walked up the beach Richie tried to figure out what to say to Leana. It had been a confusing two days. He walked up onto her deck and could hear the music coming from the stereo.
I want to get back to the place in your heart
When we knew with a kiss
How we felt from the start
Can we still make it real
He peered in the door and saw Leana sitting on the floor, a mess of stuff spread out in front of her and some papers and what looked like magazines in a pile off to the side. He was just about to knock when she glanced up. “Oh” she had a startled look on her face. “I didn’t realize anyone was there.” He smiled at her, “I just walked up and was about to knock. Can I come in?” She nodded “sure.”
He walked in and sat down on the sofa. “What’s all this?” “Just some stuff I saved over the years.” Leana had brought the box down and was trying to figure out what to do with all the stuff. Richie picked up one of the scrapbooks and starting going through it. He smiled at the pictures. “I can’t believe you saved all this.” “That’s what girls do, they save stupid stuff.” She got to her knees to see which page he had stopped at. She chuckled when she saw the picture. It was the one of him with the big pink rabbit. She looked up at him, “do you remember that?”
Richie smiled and nodded his head, “I do. Pt. Pleasant Beach, I must have shot 100 baskets to win you that dumb thing.” Leana smiled at the memory. “If I remember right, I told you to stop. I didn’t need that huge thing.” “Yeah, but it was fun, and it made you laugh. Do you still have it?” Leana shook her head, “no, I donated it to the children’s hospital after…” Richie nodded his head, “oh.” He flipped a few more pages and stopped at a picture of him, Leana, Jon and Dorothea. His best friends in the world, then. This was going to be harder than he thought.
As he walked up the beach Richie tried to figure out what to say to Leana. It had been a confusing two days. He walked up onto her deck and could hear the music coming from the stereo.
I want to get back to the place in your heart
When we knew with a kiss
How we felt from the start
Can we still make it real
He peered in the door and saw Leana sitting on the floor, a mess of stuff spread out in front of her and some papers and what looked like magazines in a pile off to the side. He was just about to knock when she glanced up. “Oh” she had a startled look on her face. “I didn’t realize anyone was there.” He smiled at her, “I just walked up and was about to knock. Can I come in?” She nodded “sure.”
He walked in and sat down on the sofa. “What’s all this?” “Just some stuff I saved over the years.” Leana had brought the box down and was trying to figure out what to do with all the stuff. Richie picked up one of the scrapbooks and starting going through it. He smiled at the pictures. “I can’t believe you saved all this.” “That’s what girls do, they save stupid stuff.” She got to her knees to see which page he had stopped at. She chuckled when she saw the picture. It was the one of him with the big pink rabbit. She looked up at him, “do you remember that?”
Richie smiled and nodded his head, “I do. Pt. Pleasant Beach, I must have shot 100 baskets to win you that dumb thing.” Leana smiled at the memory. “If I remember right, I told you to stop. I didn’t need that huge thing.” “Yeah, but it was fun, and it made you laugh. Do you still have it?” Leana shook her head, “no, I donated it to the children’s hospital after…” Richie nodded his head, “oh.” He flipped a few more pages and stopped at a picture of him, Leana, Jon and Dorothea. His best friends in the world, then. This was going to be harder than he thought.
Chapter 12
Richie woke alone in the bed. He wasn’t surprised. He glanced at the clock, she probably left already he thought. He sat and up and scrubbed his hand over his face. What was he going to do about her? He felt the familiar tug in his gut that he always used to get when he thought about her. Could he win her over again? Could they make it work this time? Would she have him back? Getting out of bed he decided that he was going to do his damnedest to prove to her that he was not the same guy he was all those years ago. He had changed, knew what he wanted now.
Richie could hear the talking and laughter as he approached the kitchen. He stopped and just listened. It had been a long time since there was this kind of noise in his house. He moved to the doorway and took in the scene. His friends, brothers really, were all seated at his table and, glancing around, Leana was standing with her back to him at the stove. The smell of coffee drew him into the room. Jon looked up just as Richie crossed to the coffee pot. “Mornin’ man.” Dave piped up “bout time you got your lazy ass outta bed.” Richie just smiled at both of them and reached for a coffee cup.
Leana knew he was there. Had known the minute he walked in the room, but didn’t know if she could face him. True, she had only slept in his bed with him, but that didn’t make the morning after any easier. She finished up and brought the pan of eggs to the table, trying not to let her nerves get the best of her. The guys ate and Leana cleaned up the mess she had made. She finished and walked over to the table, grabbing an apple out of the bowl on the counter on the way. “Hey” Richie asked, “aren’t you going to join us?” She shook her head as she bit into the apple. He watched as she went outside and sat down in one of the chairs. The next time Richie glanced outside, she was gone.
Leana walked back home, not having said good bye to any of them. She was too out of sorts and needed time to make sense of everything she was feeling. It was too much to take in all at once. She tried to work out her confusion while running on her treadmill and when that didn’t work she tried punching it out on her heavy bag. Panting, she rested her forehead against the bag. She wanted him, wanted to try again. I must be ten kinds of crazy she thought. Why do I want to open myself to that kind of pain again? Then again, what if, just what if it was different this time. Surely they had both changed in 20 years time and maybe it could work this time. Do I want to risk not knowing? They needed to talk, but she didn’t want to go to him. She had done that last night. It was time for him to come to her.
Richie could hear the talking and laughter as he approached the kitchen. He stopped and just listened. It had been a long time since there was this kind of noise in his house. He moved to the doorway and took in the scene. His friends, brothers really, were all seated at his table and, glancing around, Leana was standing with her back to him at the stove. The smell of coffee drew him into the room. Jon looked up just as Richie crossed to the coffee pot. “Mornin’ man.” Dave piped up “bout time you got your lazy ass outta bed.” Richie just smiled at both of them and reached for a coffee cup.
Leana knew he was there. Had known the minute he walked in the room, but didn’t know if she could face him. True, she had only slept in his bed with him, but that didn’t make the morning after any easier. She finished up and brought the pan of eggs to the table, trying not to let her nerves get the best of her. The guys ate and Leana cleaned up the mess she had made. She finished and walked over to the table, grabbing an apple out of the bowl on the counter on the way. “Hey” Richie asked, “aren’t you going to join us?” She shook her head as she bit into the apple. He watched as she went outside and sat down in one of the chairs. The next time Richie glanced outside, she was gone.
Leana walked back home, not having said good bye to any of them. She was too out of sorts and needed time to make sense of everything she was feeling. It was too much to take in all at once. She tried to work out her confusion while running on her treadmill and when that didn’t work she tried punching it out on her heavy bag. Panting, she rested her forehead against the bag. She wanted him, wanted to try again. I must be ten kinds of crazy she thought. Why do I want to open myself to that kind of pain again? Then again, what if, just what if it was different this time. Surely they had both changed in 20 years time and maybe it could work this time. Do I want to risk not knowing? They needed to talk, but she didn’t want to go to him. She had done that last night. It was time for him to come to her.
Chapter 11
Downstairs she started a pot of coffee and worked on cleaning up the mess from the night before. She was loading the dishwasher and nearly jumped out of her skin when Jon snuck up behind her. “Morning” he whispered in her ear. Leana dropped the dishes she was holding and they crashed to the counter. “Jesus Jon! What the hell is the matter with you? Are you trying to kill me?!” He laughed at her. “I was just saying good morning. What are you doing here, wait,” he put his hand up, “I’m not sure I want to know the answer to that.” Leana rolled her eyes at him. “It’s not what you think. All I did was sleep here. That’s it.” “Right. This is Richie we are talking about. When he has a beautiful woman with him, the last thing he wants to do is sleep.” “Fuck you” she told him with a smile as she finished loading the dishwasher. Leana reached for a mug and poured herself some coffee. “You really want to know what happened?” He eyed her over his coffee cup, “sure, if you want to share all the horny details.” “You have a one-track mind my friend. How Dorothea has put up with you for so long is beyond me. Come on, let’s sit down.”
They took their cups and sat down at the kitchen table. “Before I tell you about last night” Leana started, “can I ask you a question?” “Sure” he told her as he scratched his chest and stretched. Leana looked at him for a minute; she couldn’t believe she was actually sitting there with him. How many times had they sat down with coffee or whatever to talk? He and Dorothea had been her closest friends and even after so many years it felt like slipping into her favorite pair of shoes, it was that comfortable. “Leana? Hey.” She snapped her eyes up to Jon’s. “What?” “Where did you go? You were going to ask me a question.” Her cheeks reddened. “Sorry, took a trip back in time for a minute. Okay, I was just curious, how’s Dorothea?” Jon smiled at her, “she’s good Leana, real good. She will be jealous that I got to see you and she didn’t though.” “Well, you be sure to tell her I said hello. I have missed her.” Jon nodded, “she’s missed you too babe. Now, what happened last night?”
Leana sipped her coffee, “I came back last night after you all had gone inside…” she filled him on what had transpired. “Jon, he apologized to me. I never thought that would happen.” Jon reached over and rubbed the back of Leana’s hand. “He’s a good guy, a little messed up right now, but he has a good heart.” Leana nodded. “I know, but I just don’t know if I can go down that road again. It took a long time to get back on track after that. I don’t know if I could handle that again.” Dave and Tico wandered in at that moment, both with surprised looks on their faces when they saw who Jon was talking to. “Morning” Leana said cheerily to them. “How about some breakfast?” “Sure” they all nodded in agreement. Jon piped up, “as long as you’re cooking.” Leana looked at David and Tico, “how have you put up with him for so long?” They looked at each other and then back at her, “he pays us.”
They took their cups and sat down at the kitchen table. “Before I tell you about last night” Leana started, “can I ask you a question?” “Sure” he told her as he scratched his chest and stretched. Leana looked at him for a minute; she couldn’t believe she was actually sitting there with him. How many times had they sat down with coffee or whatever to talk? He and Dorothea had been her closest friends and even after so many years it felt like slipping into her favorite pair of shoes, it was that comfortable. “Leana? Hey.” She snapped her eyes up to Jon’s. “What?” “Where did you go? You were going to ask me a question.” Her cheeks reddened. “Sorry, took a trip back in time for a minute. Okay, I was just curious, how’s Dorothea?” Jon smiled at her, “she’s good Leana, real good. She will be jealous that I got to see you and she didn’t though.” “Well, you be sure to tell her I said hello. I have missed her.” Jon nodded, “she’s missed you too babe. Now, what happened last night?”
Leana sipped her coffee, “I came back last night after you all had gone inside…” she filled him on what had transpired. “Jon, he apologized to me. I never thought that would happen.” Jon reached over and rubbed the back of Leana’s hand. “He’s a good guy, a little messed up right now, but he has a good heart.” Leana nodded. “I know, but I just don’t know if I can go down that road again. It took a long time to get back on track after that. I don’t know if I could handle that again.” Dave and Tico wandered in at that moment, both with surprised looks on their faces when they saw who Jon was talking to. “Morning” Leana said cheerily to them. “How about some breakfast?” “Sure” they all nodded in agreement. Jon piped up, “as long as you’re cooking.” Leana looked at David and Tico, “how have you put up with him for so long?” They looked at each other and then back at her, “he pays us.”
Chapter 10
Leana let Richie lead her into the house and up to his room. He pulled back the covers on the bed, “get in.” She did as she was told, snuggling down into the huge king-sized bed. She watched as he went into the bathroom and closed the door. She was almost asleep when he came back in the room. She watched as he climbed into to the other side of the bed. “What are you doing?” “Isn’t it obvious?” “Richie…” “What, I told you I would behave, and why should I sleep on the couch when the bed is more than big enough for the both of us?” She was too tired to argue, “I guess, just make sure you keep your hands to yourself and stay over there.” She pointed to the far side of the bed. He turned off the light and reached for her hand under the blankets. He laced his fingers with hers and pulled her hand to his lips for a kiss. “This way we can both be sure to behave.”
Leana heard his breathing even out and she knew he had fallen asleep. She lay there, trying to figure out how this had happened. Yesterday she was trying to decide how to decorate her new home and tonight she was in Richie’s bed. I must be nuts she thought just before she drifted off.
The morning sunlight teased Leana awake. She blinked her eyes open and tried to remember where she was. She couldn’t remember the last time she had slept so soundly. She moved to stretch and realized that she was pinned under a heavy arm. She turned her head and saw Richie’s dark head on the pillow next to her. Oh my God. I wasn’t dreaming. Shit. She eased herself out of the bed and went to the bathroom. She splashed some water on her face and pulled her hair back. I must be out of my mind. What was I thinking? she thought as she looked at herself in the mirror. “Nothing to do now but face the music” she said as she went back into the bedroom. Richie was still asleep so she turned and left the room.
Leana heard his breathing even out and she knew he had fallen asleep. She lay there, trying to figure out how this had happened. Yesterday she was trying to decide how to decorate her new home and tonight she was in Richie’s bed. I must be nuts she thought just before she drifted off.
The morning sunlight teased Leana awake. She blinked her eyes open and tried to remember where she was. She couldn’t remember the last time she had slept so soundly. She moved to stretch and realized that she was pinned under a heavy arm. She turned her head and saw Richie’s dark head on the pillow next to her. Oh my God. I wasn’t dreaming. Shit. She eased herself out of the bed and went to the bathroom. She splashed some water on her face and pulled her hair back. I must be out of my mind. What was I thinking? she thought as she looked at herself in the mirror. “Nothing to do now but face the music” she said as she went back into the bedroom. Richie was still asleep so she turned and left the room.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Chapter Nine
Richie was clearing off the table, the guys having moved the party inside. "Hey." The bowls he was holding clattered to the table. Leana was standing there in sleep shorts and a tank top, her hair pulled back in a low loose ponytail. "Jesus Leana, are you trying to give me a heart attack?" "Sorry." "What are you doing here?" She stepped out of the shadows. "Honestly, I'm not sure." She had tossed and turned, all the while thinking about him and the way things used to be. After a while she found herself walking back down the beach.
Richie took a step toward her and held out his hand, "come here." She moved closer to him, taking his hand. He pulled her into his arms and held her close. He could feel her trembling. "What's wrong?" "Nothing... Everything... Shit, I don't know." He could hear the emotion in her voice as she spoke and he rubbed his hand up and down her back. It wasn't supposed to still feel so good, so right she thought.
Letting his lips slide over the top of her head he urged her toward a chair. "Come on, let's sit down." Richie settled himself back on one of the lounge chairs and pulled her down to him. She sat curled up against him, between his one leg that was stretched out along the chair and the other bent, his foot resting on the floor. They sat there, quiet for a few minutes. Leana finally spoke, "you asked me last night if I had gotten over you. Until then I thought I had. I had moved on. I had dated, gotten married, divorced. Now, here I am back at square one. So I guess the real answer to that question is no, I never really got over you."
"Leana" Richie started, "I was such a bastard all those years ago. I'm sorry. Can you ever forgive me?" The words she had waited 20 years to hear broke something in her. The tears spilled down her cheeks before she even realized it. With his fingers Richie tilted her head up so he could look at her. "Don't cry darlin'." "Richie, you don't understand. I never thought I would see you again, let alone hear those words from you. I always wondered, but I never let myself believe ti would happen. You just don't know...". As he brushed at her tears with his fingertips, Leana found his eyes with hers, "Richie, kiss me like you wanted to in the kitchen earlier."
Without a word Richie lowered his head, finding her lips with his, grazing over them ever solightly. With that light, hesitant touch Leana felt some of the hurt she had carried for so long start to slip away. She parted her lips slightly and Richie brought his mouth back to hers, letting his tongue slide in to taste her fully. It was a kiss that spoke of apology, of wanting, of longing for what was and of hope for what might possibly be.
Leana felt Richie's hand slide down, caressing her shoulder, the curve of her breast and finally settling on her waist. As her own hand slid up his chest, caressing his neck and twining in his hair, she could feel that oh so very male part of him harden at her hip. She wasn't ready for this. Leana eased herself back from the kiss. "Richie, wait." He opened his eyes and looked down at her. "What?" "I'm not ready for this. I just can't." She laid her head against his chest again. "I'm sorry."
Richie ran his fingers along her arm and up to her shoulder. "Don't be sorry darlin'. I know we have a lot to work through. I shouldn't have gotten so carried away." She looked up at him, I don't want to leave though, this feels too nice, too right." He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. "Why don't you come inside with me?" She looked at him like he had just grown a second head. "I just told you I wasn't ready for that." "I know, but it's late and I don't want you walking back to your place alone. So just stay here. I promise to behave."
Richie took a step toward her and held out his hand, "come here." She moved closer to him, taking his hand. He pulled her into his arms and held her close. He could feel her trembling. "What's wrong?" "Nothing... Everything... Shit, I don't know." He could hear the emotion in her voice as she spoke and he rubbed his hand up and down her back. It wasn't supposed to still feel so good, so right she thought.
Letting his lips slide over the top of her head he urged her toward a chair. "Come on, let's sit down." Richie settled himself back on one of the lounge chairs and pulled her down to him. She sat curled up against him, between his one leg that was stretched out along the chair and the other bent, his foot resting on the floor. They sat there, quiet for a few minutes. Leana finally spoke, "you asked me last night if I had gotten over you. Until then I thought I had. I had moved on. I had dated, gotten married, divorced. Now, here I am back at square one. So I guess the real answer to that question is no, I never really got over you."
"Leana" Richie started, "I was such a bastard all those years ago. I'm sorry. Can you ever forgive me?" The words she had waited 20 years to hear broke something in her. The tears spilled down her cheeks before she even realized it. With his fingers Richie tilted her head up so he could look at her. "Don't cry darlin'." "Richie, you don't understand. I never thought I would see you again, let alone hear those words from you. I always wondered, but I never let myself believe ti would happen. You just don't know...". As he brushed at her tears with his fingertips, Leana found his eyes with hers, "Richie, kiss me like you wanted to in the kitchen earlier."
Without a word Richie lowered his head, finding her lips with his, grazing over them ever solightly. With that light, hesitant touch Leana felt some of the hurt she had carried for so long start to slip away. She parted her lips slightly and Richie brought his mouth back to hers, letting his tongue slide in to taste her fully. It was a kiss that spoke of apology, of wanting, of longing for what was and of hope for what might possibly be.
Leana felt Richie's hand slide down, caressing her shoulder, the curve of her breast and finally settling on her waist. As her own hand slid up his chest, caressing his neck and twining in his hair, she could feel that oh so very male part of him harden at her hip. She wasn't ready for this. Leana eased herself back from the kiss. "Richie, wait." He opened his eyes and looked down at her. "What?" "I'm not ready for this. I just can't." She laid her head against his chest again. "I'm sorry."
Richie ran his fingers along her arm and up to her shoulder. "Don't be sorry darlin'. I know we have a lot to work through. I shouldn't have gotten so carried away." She looked up at him, I don't want to leave though, this feels too nice, too right." He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. "Why don't you come inside with me?" She looked at him like he had just grown a second head. "I just told you I wasn't ready for that." "I know, but it's late and I don't want you walking back to your place alone. So just stay here. I promise to behave."
Chapter Eight
Leana followed Richie into the kitchen. "What is with you?" Richie frowned, "what are you talking about?" "You haven't said boo out there. Are you all right? Do you want me to go?" Richie set the platter of burgers down on the counter and turned to her. "No I don't want you to leave. I just... damn it, Leana." She looked up into his face and she gasped at what she saw in his eyes. The want, the need that was there left her breathless. He leaned in to kiss her and she turned her head, his lips grazed her cheek. "What, why...?" Leana couldn't think straight. She took a step back, "I think we should get back out there." "Yeah" he agreed "I guess." Rchie picked up the plate and went back outside. Leana took a minute and followed with fresh beers for everyone.
They ate and drank and laughed into the night. Finally after the burgers were gone and many, many beers had been drunk, Leana stood, slightly unsteady. "Well, I should be going." They all looked at her, "aw, come on, its early" Dave whined. "Nope, I'm definitely done for the night. I am going to go and leave you all to your" she rolled her eyes "man talk."
She went around the table to kiss them all. When she got to Richie she put her hand on his shoulder, "thanks for having me, I had a great time." He put his hand up and covered hers with his and brought it to his lips, "any time darlin'." She pulled her hand away and stumbled down the steps. Jon looked over to Richie, nudging him with his foot under the table. "Go after her man, don't let her walk home alone." Richie didn't move.
Jon, Dave and Tico looked at him, all incredulous. Jon finally spoke, "what the hell is the matter with you?" Richie shrugged, "nothing." "Nothing my ass." Jon was irritated with his frined. "You should go after her. Why are you still sitting here with us?" Richie finished his beer before turning to his friends. "I fucked up 20 years ago with her. She doesn't want my company now and I can't say as I blame her." He sat back in his chair thinking about her. She still fit in, still belonged. It was funny how some things really don't change.
Leana walked back to her house, all the while wondering if Richie would come after her. She absently rubbed her hand where he had kissed it, tracing the spot with her finger, still feeling the heat of his lips on her skin. The more she thought about him, the more agitated and confused she got. She shook her head trying to clear her thoughts as she walked into the house and went to get ready for bed.
They ate and drank and laughed into the night. Finally after the burgers were gone and many, many beers had been drunk, Leana stood, slightly unsteady. "Well, I should be going." They all looked at her, "aw, come on, its early" Dave whined. "Nope, I'm definitely done for the night. I am going to go and leave you all to your" she rolled her eyes "man talk."
She went around the table to kiss them all. When she got to Richie she put her hand on his shoulder, "thanks for having me, I had a great time." He put his hand up and covered hers with his and brought it to his lips, "any time darlin'." She pulled her hand away and stumbled down the steps. Jon looked over to Richie, nudging him with his foot under the table. "Go after her man, don't let her walk home alone." Richie didn't move.
Jon, Dave and Tico looked at him, all incredulous. Jon finally spoke, "what the hell is the matter with you?" Richie shrugged, "nothing." "Nothing my ass." Jon was irritated with his frined. "You should go after her. Why are you still sitting here with us?" Richie finished his beer before turning to his friends. "I fucked up 20 years ago with her. She doesn't want my company now and I can't say as I blame her." He sat back in his chair thinking about her. She still fit in, still belonged. It was funny how some things really don't change.
Leana walked back to her house, all the while wondering if Richie would come after her. She absently rubbed her hand where he had kissed it, tracing the spot with her finger, still feeling the heat of his lips on her skin. The more she thought about him, the more agitated and confused she got. She shook her head trying to clear her thoughts as she walked into the house and went to get ready for bed.
Chapter Seven
Jon watched the scene from the kitchen. He couldn't make out her face, but he could appreciate a fine ass and the long denim-clad legs, not to mention the spill of dar wavy hair down her back. Made a man want to get lost in it.
Dave and Tico found Jon in the kitchen looking out the window. With a low whistle Dave asked "who's the babe?" Jon shrugged, "I don't know, but I am going to find out." He moved away from the window, opened the door and stepped out, "hey Rich, I thought it was guys ni...?" Leana turned and Jon stopped and stared. Even with the glasses he knew that face. She had been friends with Dorothea and, in turn, with him before she had met Richie. "Leana?"
Leana smiled and waggled her fingers at him. "Hi Jon." He set his beer down and swung her into a hug. "How the hell have you been babe?" She laughed, "just fine, now put me down!" Richie watched, a wave of jealousy rushing through him. Jon set her down and Dave and Tico followed with hugs of their own. They were all pleasantly surprised to see her.
They sat down at the table that had bowls of snacks waiting. "What has it been" Jon started to ask around a mouth full of chips, "20 years since we saw you last?" Leana had to laugh, "I see you still have no manners and yes, it has been about that, give or take." The guys laughed and Jon proceeded to talk with his mouth full, "I'm a guy, what do you expect?" The laughter flowed around the table, like it always had Leana thought. She looked over at Richie. He had been usually quiet. She wondered what he was thinking. He looked up just then and caught her gaze. It lasted only a second, but the intensity of his eyes on her took her breath and she could feel the heat rush through her, like it had every time he had ever looked at her that way.
"Shit" she muttered. The guys all looked at her, Jon spoke up first, "what's wrong?" Leana flushed, trying to regain her composure. "Did I say that out loud? It's just that my beer is gone and I think I need another." Richie jumped up, "I'll get it. Gotta get the burgers anyway." Leana watched him walk into the house and, after looking around the table got up, "I'll help him."
The guys watched her walk inot the house. "Damn she looks great, but what is up with them?" Dave wanted to know. "Yeah," Tico added. "Rich hasn't said more than two words tonight and that is definitely not like him." Jon took a swig of beer and nodded at both of them. "A lot of shit went down between those two. I just wonder if it isn't bothering him more than he ever let on." Jon filled them in on what had happened, at least as much as he knew. "He didn't talk about her much after they split. He only said that it was over. I always thought they would get back together, but then he met and married Heather." He shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. I just can't get a read on him about this."
Dave and Tico found Jon in the kitchen looking out the window. With a low whistle Dave asked "who's the babe?" Jon shrugged, "I don't know, but I am going to find out." He moved away from the window, opened the door and stepped out, "hey Rich, I thought it was guys ni...?" Leana turned and Jon stopped and stared. Even with the glasses he knew that face. She had been friends with Dorothea and, in turn, with him before she had met Richie. "Leana?"
Leana smiled and waggled her fingers at him. "Hi Jon." He set his beer down and swung her into a hug. "How the hell have you been babe?" She laughed, "just fine, now put me down!" Richie watched, a wave of jealousy rushing through him. Jon set her down and Dave and Tico followed with hugs of their own. They were all pleasantly surprised to see her.
They sat down at the table that had bowls of snacks waiting. "What has it been" Jon started to ask around a mouth full of chips, "20 years since we saw you last?" Leana had to laugh, "I see you still have no manners and yes, it has been about that, give or take." The guys laughed and Jon proceeded to talk with his mouth full, "I'm a guy, what do you expect?" The laughter flowed around the table, like it always had Leana thought. She looked over at Richie. He had been usually quiet. She wondered what he was thinking. He looked up just then and caught her gaze. It lasted only a second, but the intensity of his eyes on her took her breath and she could feel the heat rush through her, like it had every time he had ever looked at her that way.
"Shit" she muttered. The guys all looked at her, Jon spoke up first, "what's wrong?" Leana flushed, trying to regain her composure. "Did I say that out loud? It's just that my beer is gone and I think I need another." Richie jumped up, "I'll get it. Gotta get the burgers anyway." Leana watched him walk into the house and, after looking around the table got up, "I'll help him."
The guys watched her walk inot the house. "Damn she looks great, but what is up with them?" Dave wanted to know. "Yeah," Tico added. "Rich hasn't said more than two words tonight and that is definitely not like him." Jon took a swig of beer and nodded at both of them. "A lot of shit went down between those two. I just wonder if it isn't bothering him more than he ever let on." Jon filled them in on what had happened, at least as much as he knew. "He didn't talk about her much after they split. He only said that it was over. I always thought they would get back together, but then he met and married Heather." He shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. I just can't get a read on him about this."
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Chapter Six
Leana spent the next day trying to decide if she was going to take that walk down the beach or not. She was in her room rummaging in her closet and came across a box on the upper shelf. Opening the box a wave of nostalgia came over her. There were pictures, scrap books, odds and ends from what seemed to be a lifetime ago. Flipping through one of the scrapbooks she couldn’t help laugh at some of the pictures. Her and Richie on the boardwalk, him carrying a huge pink floppy-eared rabbit he won for her. Him making silly faces, playing on stage, just Richie being Richie.
There were other things, flyers, posters, clippings of reviews of their shows, pictures of her, Richie, Jon and Dorothea, ticket stubs, more pictures, programs, other tour souvenirs, things people on EBay would pay a pretty penny for. At the bottom of the box was a stack of letters and postcards Richie had sent her when they toured their first two albums. As she thumbed through them an old REO song came on the radio, causing Leana to sigh.
I can hear your voice promising your love will never die
I can feel your golden skin on mine beneath the desert sky
So how can it be true, how can you just turn and let me go
Let the story of your life with mine forever go untold
I can't take these words to bed with me and hold onto them at night
They can't erase the emptiness and make everything alright
Cause your laughter and your tenderness will never disappear
No matter where you are tonight a part of you is here with me
Here with me, I don't know where you are, all I know is I need you to be
Here with me, I know it's not too late, to turn around and get it straight
Noting the time, she made her decision. She quickly showered, slid into her favorite well worn jeans, layered a black tank top over a white one and decided against shoes. She left her hair down, letting the dark brown waves spill down her back and, sliding her glasses on her face she grabbed her jacket and went out the back door.
Richie stepped out onto the deck and wondered if she would show up. He sipped his beer and looked up and down the beach, not seeing anyone. Sighing he turned and went back into the house. She probably won’t come he figured. Hell he was lucky she didn’t throw him off her deck last night. The doorbell interrupted his thoughts. “Hey man” it was Jon. Richie smiled and let Jon in. They headed toward the kitchen and, as Richie continued to the sliding door to go outside, he threw over his shoulder “beer’s in the fridge bro.” Jon detoured to the fridge and Richie went outside.
Leana was coming up the beach toward his house and saw him come outside. She stopped and just looked at him. She had always had a thing for the tall, dark and handsome type and he certainly fit the bill. He wore his hair much shorter now, but it suited him and she itched to run her fingers through it. He looked good and still made her pulse race she thought and he was only wearing jeans and a t-shirt. She started up the steps, he was still alone. “I heard there was a party here tonight.” He smiled and walked over to her. The urge to touch her was great but he restrained from doing so. “You came. I wasn’t sure you would.” Leana smiled back at him. “Well, I got hungry and a burger sounded good, so here I am.”
There were other things, flyers, posters, clippings of reviews of their shows, pictures of her, Richie, Jon and Dorothea, ticket stubs, more pictures, programs, other tour souvenirs, things people on EBay would pay a pretty penny for. At the bottom of the box was a stack of letters and postcards Richie had sent her when they toured their first two albums. As she thumbed through them an old REO song came on the radio, causing Leana to sigh.
I can hear your voice promising your love will never die
I can feel your golden skin on mine beneath the desert sky
So how can it be true, how can you just turn and let me go
Let the story of your life with mine forever go untold
I can't take these words to bed with me and hold onto them at night
They can't erase the emptiness and make everything alright
Cause your laughter and your tenderness will never disappear
No matter where you are tonight a part of you is here with me
Here with me, I don't know where you are, all I know is I need you to be
Here with me, I know it's not too late, to turn around and get it straight
Noting the time, she made her decision. She quickly showered, slid into her favorite well worn jeans, layered a black tank top over a white one and decided against shoes. She left her hair down, letting the dark brown waves spill down her back and, sliding her glasses on her face she grabbed her jacket and went out the back door.
Richie stepped out onto the deck and wondered if she would show up. He sipped his beer and looked up and down the beach, not seeing anyone. Sighing he turned and went back into the house. She probably won’t come he figured. Hell he was lucky she didn’t throw him off her deck last night. The doorbell interrupted his thoughts. “Hey man” it was Jon. Richie smiled and let Jon in. They headed toward the kitchen and, as Richie continued to the sliding door to go outside, he threw over his shoulder “beer’s in the fridge bro.” Jon detoured to the fridge and Richie went outside.
Leana was coming up the beach toward his house and saw him come outside. She stopped and just looked at him. She had always had a thing for the tall, dark and handsome type and he certainly fit the bill. He wore his hair much shorter now, but it suited him and she itched to run her fingers through it. He looked good and still made her pulse race she thought and he was only wearing jeans and a t-shirt. She started up the steps, he was still alone. “I heard there was a party here tonight.” He smiled and walked over to her. The urge to touch her was great but he restrained from doing so. “You came. I wasn’t sure you would.” Leana smiled back at him. “Well, I got hungry and a burger sounded good, so here I am.”
Monday, April 16, 2007
Chapter Five
Leana stood in the kitchen doing dishes thinking about the evening. Seeing Richie again brought it all back, the good, the bad, the laughter and love that they had shared. She thought about his invitation for the following night. Would the guys remember her? Would she even fit in anymore? She had kept up with them, followed their career and gone to more than her fair share of shows, but could she do this? Could she be around Richie again? She had been so totally crazy for him and he had broken her heart. It had taken her a long time to pick up the pieces and move on. As she finished cleaning up an old Richard Marx song came on the radio.
Should've known better
Than to fall in love with you
Now love is just a faded memory
Should've known better
Now I'm a prisoner to this pain
And my heart still aches for you
There was no risk that I wouldn't take
And not a promise that I didn't make
All I asked was that you just hold on
And now I'm wondering what I did wrong
Leana felt a tear slide down her cheek. "Dammit. Why can't I let it go? She sat down heavily on th couch, laying her head against the back. "Just admit it" she told herself. I can't let it go because I still love him. Always have, probably always will. She closed her eyes and let herself remember.
The first time she had seen him was at the Fastlane. She had gone to meet Dorothea to watch Jon, as usual. Dot had told her that Jon had gotten a new guitar player, but didn't say anything more. All it took was one look and Leana knew she was done for. Her weakness was tall, dark and handsome and while that attracted her to him, it was the laughter in his warm brown eyes and his sense of humor that had stolen her heart. They had hit it off almost instantly and they were nearly inseparable after that.
After seeing the guys all play together that first time, Leana knew they were going to be big and had told him so more than once. She helped them whenever and however she could and what did he do? He dumped her when they hit it big. But before that, when they were still playing bars, when no one really knew who they were, he had been hers.
**********************
Richie sat on his sofa and stared out the window. She was the last person he expected to see. Hadn't even realized it was her until she stuck her tongue out at him. That used to be her way of getting him to smile, way back when. She would cock her head to one side and stick her tongue out just enough to tease him. It never failed to work. It would have tonight too if he hadn't been so surprised to see her. He leaned back on the couch and stretched his legs out in front of him. The 20 years fell away as he sat there. The memories came and he let them.
Leana had always been there for him. He had noticed her with Dorothea that night at the Fastlane, but really, who wouldn't have. With her sea green eyes and all that dark hair, coupled with a figure that could make a man's mouth water, she could have had anyone she wanted. He had just been lucky that she set her sights on him. While it was the green eyes and doll-like face that attracted him, it was her easy smile and determination to see him succeed that had done him in. She was at every show they played. Her support was unwavering. She helped them out any way she could, gas, loan of her car, handing out flyers, she never questioned, she just pitched right in.
When they made their first and second records, she stood by him, by them, always encouraging, never doubting. How she did it all, he didn't know. He was too wrapped up in his own life to worry about it. When Slippery hit though and they became bigger than life, he dropped her, told her that he didn't want any groupies hanging around.
Richie sat up and rubbed his eyes. What a trip. He looked over at the table and saw the envelope again. Shit. Yet another relationship he had messed up. He picked up the envelope and dumped its contents out. He didn't read the papers, he knew what they were. He saw the big bold letters at the top JUDGMENT OF DIVORCE. There was a filing stamp at the bottom. It was official. He was divorced.
Should've known better
Than to fall in love with you
Now love is just a faded memory
Should've known better
Now I'm a prisoner to this pain
And my heart still aches for you
There was no risk that I wouldn't take
And not a promise that I didn't make
All I asked was that you just hold on
And now I'm wondering what I did wrong
Leana felt a tear slide down her cheek. "Dammit. Why can't I let it go? She sat down heavily on th couch, laying her head against the back. "Just admit it" she told herself. I can't let it go because I still love him. Always have, probably always will. She closed her eyes and let herself remember.
The first time she had seen him was at the Fastlane. She had gone to meet Dorothea to watch Jon, as usual. Dot had told her that Jon had gotten a new guitar player, but didn't say anything more. All it took was one look and Leana knew she was done for. Her weakness was tall, dark and handsome and while that attracted her to him, it was the laughter in his warm brown eyes and his sense of humor that had stolen her heart. They had hit it off almost instantly and they were nearly inseparable after that.
After seeing the guys all play together that first time, Leana knew they were going to be big and had told him so more than once. She helped them whenever and however she could and what did he do? He dumped her when they hit it big. But before that, when they were still playing bars, when no one really knew who they were, he had been hers.
**********************
Richie sat on his sofa and stared out the window. She was the last person he expected to see. Hadn't even realized it was her until she stuck her tongue out at him. That used to be her way of getting him to smile, way back when. She would cock her head to one side and stick her tongue out just enough to tease him. It never failed to work. It would have tonight too if he hadn't been so surprised to see her. He leaned back on the couch and stretched his legs out in front of him. The 20 years fell away as he sat there. The memories came and he let them.
Leana had always been there for him. He had noticed her with Dorothea that night at the Fastlane, but really, who wouldn't have. With her sea green eyes and all that dark hair, coupled with a figure that could make a man's mouth water, she could have had anyone she wanted. He had just been lucky that she set her sights on him. While it was the green eyes and doll-like face that attracted him, it was her easy smile and determination to see him succeed that had done him in. She was at every show they played. Her support was unwavering. She helped them out any way she could, gas, loan of her car, handing out flyers, she never questioned, she just pitched right in.
When they made their first and second records, she stood by him, by them, always encouraging, never doubting. How she did it all, he didn't know. He was too wrapped up in his own life to worry about it. When Slippery hit though and they became bigger than life, he dropped her, told her that he didn't want any groupies hanging around.
Richie sat up and rubbed his eyes. What a trip. He looked over at the table and saw the envelope again. Shit. Yet another relationship he had messed up. He picked up the envelope and dumped its contents out. He didn't read the papers, he knew what they were. He saw the big bold letters at the top JUDGMENT OF DIVORCE. There was a filing stamp at the bottom. It was official. He was divorced.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Chapter Four
Richie looked over at her, not sure what to say. So many years had passed, but he hadn't forgotten. Pushed her to the back of his mind, but hadn't forgotten. He found his voice "I've been all right, how about you?" "Oh, there have been some ups and downs, but all in all I can't complain." He nodded and took a sip of hiw wine. "You still look good. Your hair is different though." "No, its the same, I just got over my addiction to aqua net." She smiled remembering her big 80's hair. Richie looked uncomfortable and Leana tried to put him at ease. "Relax Richie, I'm not going to hurt you." He looked over at her again, "you have every right to though." Leana pondered that for a moment. "I know, but I am more mature now than I was then. I have had a lot of time to get over you." She got up and went to the railing, needing to put some space between them. The candlelight flickered over has as she passed.
"Did you?" he asked. He needed to know, "get over me I mean?" "I moved on." She turned back to him, "just like you did." He nodded. She was getting uncomfortable with where this conversation was going. "Look, I'm not ready to go there yet. How about we talk about something else?"
Richie stood and walked over to her. "For now, but we are going to have to talk sometime you know." "I know, just not now." He agreed. Leana took a deep breath to steady herself. "So, are you hungry?" She moved past him and went into the house. Her potatoes were more than done and the steaks were waiting. She picked up the plate and went back outside. "Still like you steak rare?" He laughed as he refilled their glasses. "The bloodier the better." She put them on the grill and went back in and got dishes and silverware. She brought everything outside and the steaks were ready to come off.
Richie sat back and sighed when he finished eating. "You are still a hell of a cook darlin'." Leana smiled, "thanks. Did you ever learn to at least boil water?" He laughed. "Yeah, I can make ice cubes too." Laughing, Leana stood and took their dishes inside. She grabbed the other bottle of wine and stepped back outside.
"So," she started as she refilled their glasses, "I was sorry to hear about your divorce." A pained look came across his face. "Yeah, it sucks." Leana nodded, "I know, I've been there myself." Richie was surprised "Oh?" "Yeah." She didn't explain. "How's Ava handling it?" Richie looked at her, a little wary of sharing details, but she seemed genuinely concerned. "As well as she can I suppose. I see her as much as I can, or rather, as much as Heather will let me." He sounded frustrated. "Problems in that area I take it." "Yeah, but we're working on it."
"Well, enough about my problems" Richie said. "What brought you to LA?" Leana had wondered how long it would take him to ask. "I got divorced last year and my ex is an ass. My boss offered me a transfer and I took it. I figured that a fresh start across the country from the jerk was just what I needed. So, here I am." She glanced up and down the beach. "I didn't realize I moved into your neighborhood though." She had known he lived in LA, but hadn't know exactly where. "Yea, I live just a few houses down, not too far."
They sat in silence for a bit, neither sure what the other was thinking. Richie watched her, studied her was probably more accurate. Aside from the hint of sadness he saw in her eyes, he hadn't changed much. A little leaner in the face and body, the years had been kind to her. He smiled to himself. Leana was getting uncomfortable with him staring at her. "What?" Richie's cheeks reddened. "I was just thinking that I can't believe I didn't recognize you right off. You haven't changed, hardly at all. I think the glasses threw me though." She smiled, "you always were a charmer Rich, but flattery won't get you far with me these days though."
They finished the second bottle of wine while they talked. Richie noticed Leana had startd to shiver, the night air had cooled. "It's late, I should go." Leana nodded and stood, swaying as she did so. Richie caught her. "Whoa, careful there darlin'." He steadied her so she didn't fall. Leana felt her pulse race at his touch and that irritated her. "Hands off Richie, I'm fine." He let his hands fall to his sides. "I just didn't want you to fall." He hung his head and turned to leave. Leana sighed, "Rich, wait." He turned back to her. "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I'm sorry." "It's okay." He started down the steps, stopped and turned back. "The guys are coming by tomorrow night to hang out. Do you want to join us? I am sure they would all like to see you." Leana thought for a minute. Did she really want to go back there again? After so many years did she want to involve herself with all of them again? "I don't know Richie. Can I just say maybe?" He wasn't going to beg. "Look, my house is just three down from here. If you decide you want t come, just walk down and join us. Burgers go on the grill at 7." "Thanks, and Richie, it was good to see you again." "You too Leana." He left and she went inside.
"Did you?" he asked. He needed to know, "get over me I mean?" "I moved on." She turned back to him, "just like you did." He nodded. She was getting uncomfortable with where this conversation was going. "Look, I'm not ready to go there yet. How about we talk about something else?"
Richie stood and walked over to her. "For now, but we are going to have to talk sometime you know." "I know, just not now." He agreed. Leana took a deep breath to steady herself. "So, are you hungry?" She moved past him and went into the house. Her potatoes were more than done and the steaks were waiting. She picked up the plate and went back outside. "Still like you steak rare?" He laughed as he refilled their glasses. "The bloodier the better." She put them on the grill and went back in and got dishes and silverware. She brought everything outside and the steaks were ready to come off.
Richie sat back and sighed when he finished eating. "You are still a hell of a cook darlin'." Leana smiled, "thanks. Did you ever learn to at least boil water?" He laughed. "Yeah, I can make ice cubes too." Laughing, Leana stood and took their dishes inside. She grabbed the other bottle of wine and stepped back outside.
"So," she started as she refilled their glasses, "I was sorry to hear about your divorce." A pained look came across his face. "Yeah, it sucks." Leana nodded, "I know, I've been there myself." Richie was surprised "Oh?" "Yeah." She didn't explain. "How's Ava handling it?" Richie looked at her, a little wary of sharing details, but she seemed genuinely concerned. "As well as she can I suppose. I see her as much as I can, or rather, as much as Heather will let me." He sounded frustrated. "Problems in that area I take it." "Yeah, but we're working on it."
"Well, enough about my problems" Richie said. "What brought you to LA?" Leana had wondered how long it would take him to ask. "I got divorced last year and my ex is an ass. My boss offered me a transfer and I took it. I figured that a fresh start across the country from the jerk was just what I needed. So, here I am." She glanced up and down the beach. "I didn't realize I moved into your neighborhood though." She had known he lived in LA, but hadn't know exactly where. "Yea, I live just a few houses down, not too far."
They sat in silence for a bit, neither sure what the other was thinking. Richie watched her, studied her was probably more accurate. Aside from the hint of sadness he saw in her eyes, he hadn't changed much. A little leaner in the face and body, the years had been kind to her. He smiled to himself. Leana was getting uncomfortable with him staring at her. "What?" Richie's cheeks reddened. "I was just thinking that I can't believe I didn't recognize you right off. You haven't changed, hardly at all. I think the glasses threw me though." She smiled, "you always were a charmer Rich, but flattery won't get you far with me these days though."
They finished the second bottle of wine while they talked. Richie noticed Leana had startd to shiver, the night air had cooled. "It's late, I should go." Leana nodded and stood, swaying as she did so. Richie caught her. "Whoa, careful there darlin'." He steadied her so she didn't fall. Leana felt her pulse race at his touch and that irritated her. "Hands off Richie, I'm fine." He let his hands fall to his sides. "I just didn't want you to fall." He hung his head and turned to leave. Leana sighed, "Rich, wait." He turned back to her. "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I'm sorry." "It's okay." He started down the steps, stopped and turned back. "The guys are coming by tomorrow night to hang out. Do you want to join us? I am sure they would all like to see you." Leana thought for a minute. Did she really want to go back there again? After so many years did she want to involve herself with all of them again? "I don't know Richie. Can I just say maybe?" He wasn't going to beg. "Look, my house is just three down from here. If you decide you want t come, just walk down and join us. Burgers go on the grill at 7." "Thanks, and Richie, it was good to see you again." "You too Leana." He left and she went inside.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Chapter Three
Leana came back outside and noticed that the man was closer, but she still couldn't tell who he was. She stopped for a minute, wondering if she should call out to him. What the heck. It would be nice to meet the neighbors. She leaned over the railing, "Well hey there." Richie glanced up, not sure if he should say something or if he should just keep on walking. He wasn't in the mood for fans or groupies tonight. As he got a little closer he could tell she didn't know who he was. "What the helkl" he thought. "Hi yourself" he called out. Leana smiled, "care for a drink?" Richie picked up his pace and climbed up the steps to the deck. Leana had gone inside for another glass. RIchie stood with his back to the door, looking out at the water. Leana came back with a second glass and the bottle of cabernet. "Hope you like red" she said as she walked to the table. He turned as she set the bottle down. "Love it" he told her with a smile.
"Richie?" It was no more than a strangled whisper. "That's right darlin', and you would be?" Leana visibly paled and she sat down hard in the chair. He poured himself some wine, "are you all right?" She nodded her head. "Just fine." Leana picked up her glass and drank deep. Richie watched her, not the usual reactio from a fan he thought. Leana set her glass back down, refilled it and looked at him. "You don't remember me?" Richie looked at her again, taking in her features, the dark brown hair piled messily on top of her head, the big misty green eyes behind a rather sexy pair of glasses, pert nose, smattering of freckles, pretty little mouth. He continued to look at her,trying to remember. She cocked her head to one side and stuck her tongue out at him. For some reason that was somehow familiar to him. He reached back into his memory and it came to him. "Leana?"
She watched as the recognition washed over him. It had been probably 20 years since they had last seen each other. Slippery hadn't hit yet, but it was about to and she had been friends with all the guys and one of their biggest supporters. She had also been his girl. He had loved her and he had hurt her. "I think I need to sit" he told her as he pulled out a chair. The music had changed and Leana shook her head at the irony of the song.
I would like t visit you for a while
Get away and out of this city
Maybe I shouldn't have called but someone had to be the first to break
We can go sit on your back porch
Relax
Talk about anything
It don't matter
I'll be courageous if you can pretend that you've forgiven me
Because I don't know you anymore
I don't recognize this place
The picture frames have changed and so has your name
We don't talk much anymore
We keep running from the pain
But what I wouldn't give to see your face again
Leana broke the silence between them. "So Richie, how have you been?"
"Richie?" It was no more than a strangled whisper. "That's right darlin', and you would be?" Leana visibly paled and she sat down hard in the chair. He poured himself some wine, "are you all right?" She nodded her head. "Just fine." Leana picked up her glass and drank deep. Richie watched her, not the usual reactio from a fan he thought. Leana set her glass back down, refilled it and looked at him. "You don't remember me?" Richie looked at her again, taking in her features, the dark brown hair piled messily on top of her head, the big misty green eyes behind a rather sexy pair of glasses, pert nose, smattering of freckles, pretty little mouth. He continued to look at her,trying to remember. She cocked her head to one side and stuck her tongue out at him. For some reason that was somehow familiar to him. He reached back into his memory and it came to him. "Leana?"
She watched as the recognition washed over him. It had been probably 20 years since they had last seen each other. Slippery hadn't hit yet, but it was about to and she had been friends with all the guys and one of their biggest supporters. She had also been his girl. He had loved her and he had hurt her. "I think I need to sit" he told her as he pulled out a chair. The music had changed and Leana shook her head at the irony of the song.
I would like t visit you for a while
Get away and out of this city
Maybe I shouldn't have called but someone had to be the first to break
We can go sit on your back porch
Relax
Talk about anything
It don't matter
I'll be courageous if you can pretend that you've forgiven me
Because I don't know you anymore
I don't recognize this place
The picture frames have changed and so has your name
We don't talk much anymore
We keep running from the pain
But what I wouldn't give to see your face again
Leana broke the silence between them. "So Richie, how have you been?"
Chapter Two
Dressed in shorts and a t-shrt Richie headed back downstairs in the hope of finding something to eat. As he passed through the living room his attention w once again drawn to the envelope on the table. "Shit." He really didn't want to look at it yet. Instead of heading into the kitchen, he went out the sliding glass door and onto the deck. He stared out at the water, not really seeing it.
He replayed the events of the day in his head. The argument with Heather about his spending time with Ava, the time spent in the studio with the guys, the argument with Jon. The one that bothered him most was the argument with Heather. It was the same thing all the time. He was doing the best he could but there were just times when he couldn't be there and she just didn't understand, never had. It was all weighing on him and now, that damned envelope. Forgetting about food, he walked down the steps to the beach.
********************************
Leana was out on her deck arranging th furniture, lighting some candles and getting her grill ready. She had decided to celebrate her fresh start with a nice dinner and grilled steak was one of her favorites. She went back inside to pour a glass of wine and turn the stereo on. She checked the potatoes, they were almost done, made a salad and got the steaks ready for the grill. She had to laugh at herself, "still cooking for two." She had gotten so used to doing for her and her once husband, it was just habit. "Oh well, leftovers would be all right."
She picked up her wine and went back outside. The sunset was gorgeous, all pinks, reds and purples. I could get used to this she thought to herself. As she turned her attention to her grill, she caught site of someone walking along the water.
Richie was walking slowly, meandering really. He was just trying to clear his head. He glanced up to see a woman standing on the deck of a house he knew had been empty for a long while. Now there were lights on in the house, the deck had furniture and there were candles lit. "Hmmm, someone finally moved in" he thought. He watched as the woman sipped from her glass and turned away from him. He couldn't tell what she looked like, but could make out a nice figure. He could also hear strains of the music she was listening to.
Hey mister can you tell me
What this world's about
It might just help me out
I used to be a dreamer
But my dreams have burned
Sometimes it's hard to find a friendly face
Feel like a stranger to the human race
It's such a lonely, lonely place
He shook his head and smiled, it was one of his own. Well, at least she has good taste he thought and he began to wonder what this woman might be like.
He replayed the events of the day in his head. The argument with Heather about his spending time with Ava, the time spent in the studio with the guys, the argument with Jon. The one that bothered him most was the argument with Heather. It was the same thing all the time. He was doing the best he could but there were just times when he couldn't be there and she just didn't understand, never had. It was all weighing on him and now, that damned envelope. Forgetting about food, he walked down the steps to the beach.
********************************
Leana was out on her deck arranging th furniture, lighting some candles and getting her grill ready. She had decided to celebrate her fresh start with a nice dinner and grilled steak was one of her favorites. She went back inside to pour a glass of wine and turn the stereo on. She checked the potatoes, they were almost done, made a salad and got the steaks ready for the grill. She had to laugh at herself, "still cooking for two." She had gotten so used to doing for her and her once husband, it was just habit. "Oh well, leftovers would be all right."
She picked up her wine and went back outside. The sunset was gorgeous, all pinks, reds and purples. I could get used to this she thought to herself. As she turned her attention to her grill, she caught site of someone walking along the water.
Richie was walking slowly, meandering really. He was just trying to clear his head. He glanced up to see a woman standing on the deck of a house he knew had been empty for a long while. Now there were lights on in the house, the deck had furniture and there were candles lit. "Hmmm, someone finally moved in" he thought. He watched as the woman sipped from her glass and turned away from him. He couldn't tell what she looked like, but could make out a nice figure. He could also hear strains of the music she was listening to.
Hey mister can you tell me
What this world's about
It might just help me out
I used to be a dreamer
But my dreams have burned
Sometimes it's hard to find a friendly face
Feel like a stranger to the human race
It's such a lonely, lonely place
He shook his head and smiled, it was one of his own. Well, at least she has good taste he thought and he began to wonder what this woman might be like.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Chapter One
Richie pulled up in front of the house and shut the car off. He sat and looked at his house; that's all itis now, just a house he thought. It used to be a home, when Heather and Ava still lived there. Now, there was no noise, no laughter, just a quiet empty house. With a sigh he climbed out of the car and went inside.
He threw his keys down on the table in the foyer and walked back toward the kitchen. He grabbed a beer from the fridge, popped the top and took a long draw. It had been a bitch of a day. Another long draw and he emptied the bottle. He grabbed another. He wandered out of the kitchen and into the living room. Richie set his beer down and picked up a photo of himself, Heather and Ava. How did I get here, on the downside of 40 and alone, he wondered. He traced Ava's face with his fingers and set the photo down. Grabbing his beer he turned to go upstairs to wash the remnants of the day off when an envelope on the coffee table caught his eye. Noting the return address, he left it on the table. He didn't want to deal with that right now. Taking the stairs two at a time he headed for his room.
*************************************************
Leana finished unpacking th last box in the living room and sat down with a sigh. "That's it, I'm done" she said out loud to herself. She had moved in gradually, over the last few days and was finally finished unpacking. She was glad it was Friday. She had to return to work on Monday and now had two days to do absolutley nothing. She took a minute to glance around the living room. Cream colored walls, hardwood floor with an oriental design area run in tones of cream and cranberry, natural wood trim around the windows and doors. It was a beautiful room. It was a beautiful house. She would put some of her own touches, framed prints on the walls, maybe a colored throw on the back of the couch, some colored pillows. It didn't really matter right now she thought as she picked up a framed photo.
Glancing down at the photo, she traced the man's face with her fingers. How can 20 years have seem like only yesterday she wondered. She could hardly believe it hd been that long since she had seen him or talked to him. The anger she felt toward him had long since given way to a sadness that she still carried. Leana looked at the photo and wondered about him, wondered what might have been. with a sigh she stood and took the photo to her room. "It doesn't matter" she told herself. All that mattered now was that she had been given the opportunity to start over and that is what she was doing.
He threw his keys down on the table in the foyer and walked back toward the kitchen. He grabbed a beer from the fridge, popped the top and took a long draw. It had been a bitch of a day. Another long draw and he emptied the bottle. He grabbed another. He wandered out of the kitchen and into the living room. Richie set his beer down and picked up a photo of himself, Heather and Ava. How did I get here, on the downside of 40 and alone, he wondered. He traced Ava's face with his fingers and set the photo down. Grabbing his beer he turned to go upstairs to wash the remnants of the day off when an envelope on the coffee table caught his eye. Noting the return address, he left it on the table. He didn't want to deal with that right now. Taking the stairs two at a time he headed for his room.
*************************************************
Leana finished unpacking th last box in the living room and sat down with a sigh. "That's it, I'm done" she said out loud to herself. She had moved in gradually, over the last few days and was finally finished unpacking. She was glad it was Friday. She had to return to work on Monday and now had two days to do absolutley nothing. She took a minute to glance around the living room. Cream colored walls, hardwood floor with an oriental design area run in tones of cream and cranberry, natural wood trim around the windows and doors. It was a beautiful room. It was a beautiful house. She would put some of her own touches, framed prints on the walls, maybe a colored throw on the back of the couch, some colored pillows. It didn't really matter right now she thought as she picked up a framed photo.
Glancing down at the photo, she traced the man's face with her fingers. How can 20 years have seem like only yesterday she wondered. She could hardly believe it hd been that long since she had seen him or talked to him. The anger she felt toward him had long since given way to a sadness that she still carried. Leana looked at the photo and wondered about him, wondered what might have been. with a sigh she stood and took the photo to her room. "It doesn't matter" she told herself. All that mattered now was that she had been given the opportunity to start over and that is what she was doing.
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