The
End of the Search
©2002
Black Rose Collection
For
entertainment purposes only.
*--__--* This story is part of Calen’s Alternate Universe series. For more information, click here.
Calen McGregor is my original character and should not be used without my permission.
Chapter 1
Calen scratched her achy
back as she headed for her bathroom before sunrise. Without a steady show to get up for, she was
quickly becoming unaccustomed to waking so early. Under the soft water of the shower, she
almost drifted off again when something startled her. It was her memory. She had forgotten that she was supposed to go
by Gene’s house this morning before going to the movie set. DAMN!! She yelled at herself. If I stop by Gene’s, I know I’ll be late! Normally, she would call Gene and explain the
situation, but he seemed anxious to see her, and as per her curious nature, she
had to find out what was going on.
After her shower, she put
in a call to Jeri Taylor and explained that she would be a few minutes late to
the set, but chose to keep the reason private.
Jeri, not one for being nosy, didn't ask why. She simply explained that she wasn't needed
on the set until noon, but she needed to be to makeup by 10 am. Calen agreed, and she left for Gene’s.
************************
She pulled up to his gate
and was surprised to find it open so early in the morning, so she proceeded to
drive up and park behind his black truck.
She giggled as she noticed that he still hadn't bothered getting rid of
the dent from his little “accident” a couple of months back. More surprisingly than
anything was that she didn't find Paul’s car in the driveway. Not that the two of them spent ALL their time
together, but they had been working on some last minute projects. She shrugged her shoulders as she knocked on
the door.
She smiled down at Sophie,
who answered the door while still in her nightclothes.
“Morning sweetie, where’s
your daddy this morning?” Calen asked.
“He’s in the kitchen, come
on.” She replied, opening the door.
“They told me you were coming, I wanted to say
HI before I left for school.” She smiled as the two of them hugged each other.
Sophie walked with Calen
into the kitchen where Gene was sitting by himself, drinking his morning coffee
and looking a bit hung over.
“Oh, man…long night last
night?” she asked, giggling.
“Ha ha…”
Gene grumbled. He turned to Sophie. “Go ahead and get your clothes on sweetheart,
I have to talk to Calen, then I’ll run you to school.”
Sophie grinned slightly,
while eating a mouthful of cereal, and left the kitchen. Gene peeked out to make sure she went
upstairs.
“What is going on?” Calen
asked.
“Sorry to give you the impression
anything was wrong, I just didn't want to speak in front of Sophie. She isn’t into keeping secrets right
now. You know that age.” Gene replied,
smiling.
“Oh…then what am I doing
over here so early in the morning?”
“I wanted to talk to you
before Paul got here. In
particular about his birthday party.”
Calen scowled at him, “You
know that Paul said he didn't want anything special for his birthday. I think he was serious this time. He doesn’t want the fuss.”
“I know,” Gene started,
“But you know me, I just can’t take no for an answer.”
“So, what did you have in
mind for this shindig?” she asked.
“Bob actually suggested
some girls from the
“No, I don't think so.”
Calen quickly spoke up. “What about the
rest of us that are supposed to be there? Were just expected to walk around with
those……?”
“Easy………” Gene cautioned
with a smile.
“I know, I know,
“Yes, they are. I wasn't serious Calen,
I just said that Bob suggested it.”
Calen let out her
breath. “Thank goodness.”
“So, should it be here, or
surprise Paul at his house?” Gene asked, thinking hard on the subject.
“I don't know, he wouldn’t
expect it at his house, but we would have to find a way to get him out of the
house.”
Gene scratched his
chin. “Humm……I
know. Guess I will have to stew about it
for a while.”
“Good, you do that, and
let me go to work ok?” she replied, getting up to leave. Gene walked her to the door before kissing
her on the cheek.
“Call me when you know
something more.” She said before getting in her car to leave, but poked her
head back out her window.
“Hey, do you happen to
know where
“Humm,
yeah, it’s at the top of Mulholland I think. Why?”
“I’m going to a party
there tomorrow night. A friend of mine is setting me up with a guy.”
Gene
whinced. “Ohhh, a blind date
huh? Better watch out for those.” He
cautioned.
“I know, I know. I talked to him already over the phone and he
seems nice enough. My friend is taking
me so I won’t be stuck with him having to take me home if it doesn’t work out.”
“Well, have fun, let me know how it goes.”
“I will. Later.”
She watched Gene wave as
she drove down the drive toward the gate.
No sooner had she gotten
out on the street, but she was met with Paul in his car getting ready to turn
in. She stuck her hand out of the window
and waved at him. He politely waved back and pulled on into Gene’s driveway.
When Gene went back
inside, he saw
“Yeah, I was getting her
opinion about the party.”
“Now Gene, you said you
weren’t going to throw Paul a party.”
He smiled, “I know, but
you know me.”
She chuckled, “Yes, I do
know you. How was Calen?”
“Oh, just fine, she is
going to a party tomorrow night on Mulholland, she is meeting a guy there.”
Gene nodded. He agreed completely.
**************************
“We have been working out
here for the past 3 hours and I’m patiently waiting for an answer.” Paul said
to Gene, while sitting out in his guesthouse, knee deep in paperwork.
“About
what?” Gene asked, avoiding the question.
“You know what. What was Calen doing here earlier? Or do I have to ask, it was about my birthday
party wasn't it?” Gene opened his mouth to
respond but was interrupted. “I thought
I told you I didn't want any fancy, all blown out party.”
“I know, but you never
want one. What about just a simple
gathering with a few friends and close family?
You could fly your parents in or something.”
“That’s something to
consider, but it’s my decision…NOT YOURS, ok?”
Gene gave in. “Fine. But maybe I could just suggest………?”
“NO! and that’s final.”
He interrupted, trying to keep from laughing.
“Hey,
you two.”
Paul sighed. “Can you forward the call to this phone?” he
asked.
“Not
directly, but I can give her this exchange, and she can call back.”
She replied.
“That’s fine.” Paul
smiled.
When
Paul scowled. “No, not really, I don't guess. She is just…I don't know, getting on my
nerves.”
“That sounds like
something to me. What's up?”
He shook his head,
“Nothing I can put my finger on, it just isn’t working
out like I had hoped.”
“Well, I’m not going to
tell you I told you so, but……”
“Then don't. I know what you're going to say, she’s all
wrong for me, that she is just using me, all that. I have heard it all before from you and from
everyone else. I will work it out on my
own, just drop it, ok?”
“Ok, you will, I won’t say
another word.” Gene said, throwing his hands in the air.
The phone rang, and Paul
sighed once more, knowing whom it was. He got up and walked to the end of the room,
and picked it up. Gene, his curiosity
peaked, tried to listen in, but it was difficult.
“Well, I tried to tell you
last night, you looked just fine in that dress, but you didn't listen to
me………yes, it looked good on you………what do you mean I’m just saying that, you
asked for my opinion and I……why are we arguing about this anyway? No, I’ll talk to ya
later. No, later.
Bye.”
Paul came and sat back
down looking like he had been to war.
Maybe he had been, talking to Angie was as
close as it came to battle. Gene
couldn’t help but chuckle, but Paul wasn't amused. “DON'T say a word.”
“Not me.” Gene said, but
he just couldn’t hold his tongue. “What
was it about a dress?”
He sighed once more. “She
is in a fit over a dress she wore to dinner last night. Just because my mouth didn't drop open, she
thinks I didn't like it, I kept telling her she looked nice, but it was getting
on my nerves. Damn, she can be do sensitive. I mean,
she is a beautiful woman, and for some reason, she thinks that’s all that
counts in this world. Ah, sometimes I
would just like to see her messed up, no makeup, messed up hair, the works.”
“I could get Sophie to
take her outside and hit her with a mud pie or something.” Gene joked.
“That’s not funny.” Paul
said, but started laughing himself, despite it all, the whole situation was
pretty amusing.
**************************
Calen got dressed and
waited patiently for Sheri to arrive, so she could inspect her hair. By the time she finally arrived, Calen was
pacing a hole in her living room carpet.
“Geez
Cal…it’s just a date, it isn’t like you're going out with Paul or anything.”
Calen smiled at the
thought, but soon snapped back to her senses. “I know, but I want to make a
good impression. So, how do I look?” she
asked. She had decided to wear her long
black skirt, a long sleeved mock turtleneck and a gray soft vest with her long,
black boots.
“Dressing for comfort
tonight?” Sheri jeered.
“Problem with that?” she
replied. “Besides, it’s chilly out tonight and I don't want to wear a jacket.”
“You look just fine. What time is Jamie picking you up?”
“Anytime
now.” She said, checking herself in the hall mirror.
“You haven’t know Jamie very long, why don't you just follow her over
there?”
“Its
easier this way, besides, I hate trying to drive Mulholland
at night, you know that.”
Sheri shook her head. “Ok, hope you have a good time.”
“Don't smirk. I know I swore off blind dates, but he seems
nice enough, so who knows?”
“It’s your business
really. Just don't forget that these
things usually don't go as planned, so don't go calling me, you know I’ll be
out tonight with Ray.”
“That’s fine. You two have a good time and don't worry
about me.” Calen said, shuffling Sheri out the door. “Go get Ray and I’ll talk to ya tomorrow.”
Sheri laughed as she
started out the driveway, “That’s ok, I didn't want to do your hair anyway!”
she shouted out her car window.
*****************************
“How long have you known
Steven?” Calen asked Jamie on the way to the party.
“Oh,
about a year or so. He is
a friend of my brothers actually.”
Calen nodded. “I wonder who’s
house this is?”
“I think it’s the old
Martinsville House from what I understand.
It was restored back in the 70’s and brought just two years ago by Jim
and Lindy.” Jamie replied. “So, it must be neat being friends with Paul
Stanley, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, he’s a great
friend.” She replied, sighing.
“How long have you known
one another?”
“About 3 years. Turns out that Nick, Gene’s son is a fan of
mine, and so Gene and Shannon brought him to the Sci Fi convention that I was speaking at and brought him
backstage to meet me.
We got along so well, that Gene invited me to a
party he was having a week later, that’s where I met Paul. Since then, I’ve
seen all of them pretty regularly. I
take Nick with me to Sci Fi
conventions, and I have taken Sophie with me to the mall and fun stuff like
that. Shannon and I get along very well
too.”
Jamie smiled. “I envy you, hanging out with rock stars and
all that.”
“I don't consider
that. I guess in the beginning I did, I
mean, when I met Paul, I went home and screamed it at the top of my lungs, ‘I
MET PAUL STANLEY!!’ but after all this time, I’ve gotten to know him and he
really is a great person, and so different from what the public sees.”
“Really? How so?” she asked.
“Well, it’s hard to say,
just believe me when I say that he’s a great man.”
Jamie let it go, but her
mind still wondered what it would be like to hang with the so-called ‘beautiful
people’ like Calen and her friends. She
had hoped that by fixing her up with Steven she would score points, maybe get
her invited to some parties or something, but it hasn’t happened, and Jamie was
getting impatient, and a tad frustrated.
After all, how was she supposed to make it in acting, if she didn't get
noticed?
They pulled up at the
front of the house and got out, where they were immediately met by a nice
looking man, with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Jamie looked over at Calen and smiled.
“Is that Steven?” she whispered.
Jamie giggled and nodded.
“Hey, Jamie girl, how’s it
goin?” Steven asked, embracing her.
“Great!” she replied. She turned to Calen. “Well, here she is.”
Steven flashed a bright
smile, “It’s nice to meet you Calen, I’m a big fan of
yours.”
“Thanks, nice to meet you too.” She replied. They all stood silent for a moment, none of them quite knowing what to say.
“Well, Jamie, Calen, let’s
go inside, the party is really starting to pick up.” Steven said, holding out
his arm for both women.
They walked inside and the
beauty of the large house took Calen’s breath away. There was no foyer to speak of, just a large
room with a long winding staircase in the back and a large marble balcony. There were also more people there than she
expected, but was relieved to see that she recognized a couple of them. They began to mingle and soon Calen found the
food line. She gathered a small plate of
appetizers when she spotted Jenny waving her over. She smiled and went over to speak to
her. She was happy to see someone there
she knew as well as she knew Jenny. She
stood still and spoke to Jenny while taking time to look around the large
room.
“Calen?”
Jenny tapped her on the shoulder. “This is Marc, his brother owns the house.”
She said.
Calen looked up at the
rather large man, who looked more like a wrestler than anything. “Nice to meet you, this is such a beautiful
house.”
“Thank you. My brother and his wife spent a great deal of
time and money restoring it.” He replied in a deep, gruff voice.
“Are they here tonight?”
“No, they are in
While she stood talking to
Marc and Jenny, she spotted Steven at the end of the room, looking her
over. Normally, that might have turned
her off, but he seemed harmless enough. Maybe…,
she thought, this might turn out to be a good blind date after all..
Chapter 2
The party was in full
swing by close to midnight, but Calen found it bizarre that people were
disappearing from the living room area and not returning. She had tried to venture the rest of the
house, but with nearly 8 bedrooms, she surmised she would have to leave a trail
of breadcrumbs, like something out of The Shining. As she found her way outside, she found
Steven sitting by himself next to the pool.
She decided to talk to him and find out why he had been so elusive the
whole evening, only stopping by to talk to her a couple of times, then leaving
quickly. Weren’t they supposed to be on
a date?
“Hey there.” she said,
sitting down next to him. He looked at
her and smiled.
“Hi, are you having a good
time?” he asked.
“Sure,
so far. I have been
mingling around with most of the people I know.
What about you?” she replied, confused by his sudden bizarre
behavior. He kept rubbing his nose and
sniffling a lot. When Calen saw the
specs of white powder on this dark shirt, she stiffened. Oh God, please let this be dandruff…
she said to herself, but she knew better.
“I’ve been having a goooood time.” He mused.
Calen wasn't happy by this
sudden turn of events. Everyone who
knows her knows how she feels about drugs and people who use them. She couldn’t believe that she was actually
thinking this guy might be a good catch.
“I bet you have. Well, thanks for
a nice evening, but I think we won’t be seeing each other again.”
“Parting so soon?” he
said, touching her knee. “Before we have
gotten better acquainted?”
She stood up quickly. She didn't stand for that kind of
foolishness. “Why don't you go and get acquainted with YOURSELF!” she said,
before turning and walking back in the house.
The nerve! She said to herself, trying to find a bathroom that
wasn't occupied.
****************************
It didn't take long for
her to discover exactly the nature of this ‘party’ she was attending. As she walked along the top floor of the
house, she approached bedroom door after bedroom door, finding people either
partaking in various drugs, or engaging in some form of bizarre sexual
behavior. None of which, she wanted
anything to do with.
Calen became even more
anxious after viewing some of the other people in the last couple of rooms and
their activities, so she decided to find Jamie and tell her she was ready to
go, she had seen far too much. The house
was so large that navigating through it to find someone was almost like a
needle in the haystack feeling. She
couldn’t help but feel a bit distressed as she went along and didn't find
anyone that wasn't already occupied. Where
in the hell is Jamie? She asked herself in frustration. It was if the house suddenly emptied, but she
knew where most of them had gone, to the bedrooms. On the way back to the living room, she ran
into Jenny, who seemed a bit panicked.
“Calen, there you are,
I’ve been looking for you.” She said, out of breath.
“What's wrong?”
“I guess you saw what
everyone has been up to. Anyway, I think
Marc called the cops or something cause I heard there’s
going to be a raid here anytime now.”
Calen’s face went
pale. “Oh no. We’ve got to get out of here.”
“I’m already ahead of
you. Come on, I’ll give you a ride.”
“No,” she replied, “I came
with Jamie, I need to find her and tell her to get out, I’ll
go with her.”
Jenny wasn't too sure of
Calen’s decision. “Are you sure? I haven’t seen Jamie in nearly a half hour.
When did YOU see her last?” she asked.
“Oh man, she ran off and
left me at the door after I started speaking to you. I talked to her about an hour and a half ago,
and she said she was having a great time, and then she took off again. Do you think she is in one of the bedrooms?”
Calen asked.
“I don't know, and
frankly, I don't want to find out.”
“Neither do I, but I think
I should find her and try to let her know what's happening.
“Ok, if that’s what you
need to do.”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I owe it to her to let her know what's
happening.”
“I guess you're right, it
wouldn’t be nice to run out on her like that.”
She nodded. “That’s true, that’s why I need to find her,
and fast.”
“Do you think she knew
this was the type of party going on tonight?” Jenny asked.
Calen sighed, “I don't
know, but I sure plan to find out. I
would hope that she wouldn’t purposely brought me to a
party like this.”
“Well, good luck. Talk to ya later, I
gotta find Jimmy and the guys and split.”
Calen waved from the
balcony as Jenny and her friends left the party in a big hurry.
She continued her search
and braved looking in some of the rooms in hopes of finding Jamie so they could
get out of there, but after 10 more minutes, and 14 invites to party in some of
the rooms, she thought it was futile.
She had only one alternative, she decided to find Marc, the owner’s brother
and see if she had seen her. As she
stood at the top of the long staircase, she could see him outside by the pool
talking to a group of guys. Quickly, she
took off after him.
“Marc! Marc!” Calen called out when she got
outside. He spun around and walked over
to her.
“What are you still doing
here, I thought you left.” He asked with total surprise.
“No, I haven’t gone, I’ve been trying to find Jamie so I could leave. Where is she?”
Marc suddenly got
silent. “Uh, she’s gone.”
“What do you mean, she’s
gone?” she growled.
“Well, she left about a
half hour ago. I thought you went with
her. I asked, and she said you were
waiting for her at the car.”
“You must be mistaken
Marc, I have been trying to find her, we got separated in this damn house. How could she just leave me?”
“I don't know, but the
cops will be here within the next half hour, so you better get outta here, and quick!” Marc said.
“So, it is true. You called the cops.”
“Yeah, I don't put up with
drug shit in my brother’s house, and since he entrusted it to me, I have to be
responsible for it, so I called the cops.
But if I had known you were still here, I would have waited,
I don't want to see you being dragged downtown.” Marc said apologetically.
“Not your fault, I can’t
think of anything else right now, but getting home. See ya later.”
Calen said, walking back in the house.
She searched quickly for the nearest bathroom again, trying to escape
the people and the loud music. It seemed
nearly impossible to find one that wasn't occupied with people. When she found one, she locked herself in and
grabbed her cell phone. But, who to call? Sheri was out with Ray and Jenny just split
with her friends. She paced around the
bathroom trying to keep herself from panicking, she
had to find someone who lived close enough by to get her in time. She let out a huge breath and decided to call
Gene, hoping he was home. She dialed his
number and waited, and waited. Anxiety
began to surface again when she got no answer.
Oh yeah! She remembered.
Dialing the number to the guesthouse, she held her breath once more, and
was relieved to hear the phone pick up.
It was Paul.
“Hello?” he said. She was never more glad
to hear his voice.
“Paul. I’m so glad you're there.” she said, almost
in a whisper.
“Calen? Honey, what's wrong?”
“I’m stuck at this party,
and……I didn't know it, but there's drugs here and people are goin nuts fallin all over the
floor, and the owner’s brother called the cops………they’ll be here any minute,
and the stupid bitch I came with……she left without me……I have no way to get
home!!” she blurted out.
“Easy…easy
honey. Where are
you?” Paul calmly asked.
“I’m somewhere at the top
of Mulholland, in Peaksgill
Park Estates. I think I saw the address
on the box, it’s like
“Ok, now, when are the
cops coming?”
“Marc said anytime between
now and the next half hour.” She replied, still panicked. Please, come and get me Paul.”
“Don't worry honey, I’m on
my way. Listen to me. Go outside and wait for me, don't stay inside
any longer, just stay as far away from those people as you can, you got it?” he
said, sternly.
“Yeah, I understand. I’m going now.”
“Ok, and don't panic, I’ll
be there in 5 minutes.”
She hung up the phone and
exited the bathroom, stepping quickly over people who had decided to use the
floor as a bed. It took her a minute or
two, but she finally made her way outside.
For what seemed like an eternity, she walked up and down the driveway,
waiting and waiting, jumping at every noise she heard. Sirens in the distance made her heart leap in
her chest. She was sure they were headed
this way. She stood still and tried to
take long deep breaths, but it wasn't working.
She couldn’t get the picture of the tabloid and entertainment shows
headlines of her being busted in a huge drug raid. The thought made her sick and she swore she
would get Jamie for leaving her in it.
The bright lights of a car
stunned her, but she soon realized it was Paul’s black convertible pulling
up. He jumped out and ran to her.
“You ok?” he asked,
embracing her. She thought to herself
that he seemed overjoyed to see her.
“I’m fine. Just glad to see you.”
She replied, not letting go of him.
Both of them jumped when
they heard sirens in the distance. Calen
paused, waiting to see if these would fade like the others. They didn't.
She looked at Paul, they both knew this was
it. He grabbed her hand. “Lets get out of here…NOW!”
The
two of them shot for the car and Paul lit out onto the long driveway, but was
met by the lights and blaring sirens coming closer.
“What do we do?” she hollered, clinging to him for dear life.
“Hang on,” he instructed,
“I have an idea.”
Paul immediately turned
off the lights to his car and pulled off the driveway and behind a large line
of hedges. He stopped the car and
grabbed Calen, pushing her down in the seat.
“Stay there.” he instructed. He
waited for a moment and just as the sirens of the police cars came closer, he
ducked down on top of Calen, shielding her.
For a moment or two, both of them held their breaths, hoping they
wouldn’t be spotted, but they passed the camouflaged car by. After a few anxious seconds, both of them sat
up.
“Are they up the
driveway?” Calen asked, fear keeping her from moving.
Paul touched her
cheek. “Yeah, let’s go while they're
occupied.” He said, starting the car, but keeping the lights off until they
were safely off the property. When they
were out of sight of the house, Paul floored it down the winding hills of Mulholland,
heading back to Gene’s as fast as he could.
*******************************
“That bitch! I swear I’ll beat the shit out of her for
this!” Calen screamed, walking around Gene’s house. Paul sat on the couch, trying to keep her
from losing her temper, but it was too late.
She had already lost it, and big time.
“I’m sorry, I don't mean
to yell.” She said to
“Maybe she just panicked
and didn't want to try and find you.”
“I don't know, but I plan
to find out tomorrow, that’s for sure. I
can’t believe that I just spent all that time trying to find her, so she
wouldn’t get arrested, and she didn't even take the same consideration.”
“What about your blind
date?”
“What blind date?” he
asked.
“Oh, Jamie set me up with
a friend of her brother’s.” Calen replied, oblivious to his reaction, or to
Paul sat up straight,
totally annoyed. “He had a date with you
and he decided to drug up instead?”
“I don't get the
impression that he even knew we were supposed to be on an official date or
anything. The more I stew over this, the
more I think that Jamie set this up, but why?
I haven’t done anything to her, why would she do that?”
Calen turned to Paul. “I’m glad its over
too, thanks to Paul. And to some fancy
maneuvering in his car.”
“Just pulled a few tricks
from being a cab driver all those years ago.” He said, chuckling. “How about I take you home?”
“Good idea. I’m tired, and I still have to get to the
movie set tomorrow, just so glad that I don't have to be there till noon.”
They all were thankful for
that, and especially that Calen didn't end up on the front page of the L.A.
Times.
When Paul pulled out of
the driveway with Calen, Gene looked at
“Well, he took it better
than I expected, I guess cause she was sitting next to
him, but I will hear about it tomorrow for sure.”
Chapter 3
Calen had just gotten out
of the shower when the phone rang. After
checking the caller ID, she stumbled around to answer it before the voice mail
did. She recognized the number right
away.
“Bruce! Good news, I hope?” she asked.
“The
best. I found it!”
he answered.
“You did? Great!
Bid on it!”
“Its
already begun, now what I need to know is, what's your money limit?”
Calen scratched her
head. “I don't know. Just bid till you get it, that’s all, just
start and keep going up, you know more about this than I do.”
“I know, but I need a cap
to work with. One
million perhaps?”
“I don't want to lose it
Bruce, go over a million if you have to.”
“I honestly don't think it
will go over a million, the estimated price is only 100,000. It shouldn’t go much more than that.”
“Good, then bid and don't
worry, just send me the receipt with how much you spent.” She said, with a huge
sigh of relief. “Its
perfect, just in time for his birthday tonight.
Where is the seller located?”
“
“I can’t believe it,
finally, after all these months of looking, I can give it to him for his
birthday. You're the best!”
“I get paid to be that
way.” He joked. “The bidding is getting
heated, I need to concentrate, I will call you later
with the final price.”
Calen hung up the phone
and jumped up, screaming in delight.
“What in the world are you
yelling about?” Sheri asked at the top of the stairs, making her jump.
“How long have you been
here?” she yelled up to her.
“Long enough to hear you
talk about a bid, what is Bruce bidding for you now?” she replied, coming
downstairs to join her.
“He found Paul’s original costume
jacket.” She said with pride.
“The one he said was
accidentally sold at auction 10 years ago?”
“That’s the one.”
“How did you find it?” she
asked, stunned.
“I put Bruce on it months
ago after Paul told me about it. He
seemed so upset that I wanted to find it for him. I thought Bruce would never locate it, but
apparently he is doing his job, cause he found it at
an auction in
“You realize how many
brownie points you will score with him for this?”
Calen frowned. “I’m not out to score points with him. I wanted to do this for him cause I can. He
doesn’t have time to search around the auction houses for it. I want to surprise him.”
Sheri laughed, “Yeah,
maybe he will be so happy that he’ll kiss you.”
“Don't I wish. But, with Angie
around, that’s impossible.”
“She’ll be there tonight,
won’t she?” Sheri asked.
“Of
course. And when she is around, I can’t get within 30 feet
of him.”
“She’s quite irritating
isn’t she?”
“Yes, very. Anyway, you never said what you were doing
here.”
“I just dropped off the
rewrites for the script for Jeri, she knew I was
coming by anyway. I put them on the
coffee table.”
“Oh, thanks.”
Sheri sat down on the bed
and watched as Calen did her hair. “So,
did you ever get a hold of Jamie?”
Calen frowned. “No, she still isn’t returning phone calls
from anyone, and she isn’t at work, so I don't know what the deal is, its been over a week since the party.”
“Maybe she got arrested
after all.”
“I don't know, I’m not
worrying about it right now, I just want to concentrate on finding the right
thing to wear tonight to Paul’s party.”
“What were you thinking
about?” Sheri asked, getting up to open her closet. “Humm, its pretty
informal isn’t it?”
“Yeah, Gene said
“So,
jeans and a blouse maybe?”
“That’s what I was
thinking. But do I wear a t-shirt, cut
off shirt, or do I wear a blouse? Something fancier? I
expect I will be playing with the kids and stuff.”
“Probably just a
comfortable t-shirt would work. Don't
wear a blouse you could spill ketchup and stuff on.”
Calen pulled out her stars
and strips t-shirt out, and her comfortable, slightly
faded blue jeans and threw them on the bed.
Both seemed satisfied. “I know……I
know, I make way too much out of my clothes.” She
sighed.
“You want to look good for
Paul, I understand that, but Paul really likes you the way you are, not when
you try to put on appearances. Just be yourself and you’ll be fine, ok?”
“Ok, I know, but its just that……”
“I
know, I really do. Paul
is a great guy, and after pulling his Sir Galahad impersonation on you the
other night, it makes him that much more appealing. It’s the classic case of the woman who craves
being rescued.”
Calen looked at her like
she was nuts. “What in the world are you
talking about? I have always wanted to
be with Paul, practically from the very moment I first met him, but it isn’t
going to happen. We are good friends,
wait, take it back, we are GREAT friends, and nothing is going to happen to
spoil it. The fact that he came and
picked me up from the party has nothing to do with any of it. I don't have some kind of ‘rescue fetish’, so
drop it.”
“Are you trying to
convince me, or yourself?”
“That’s what I get for
having a friend who’s dating a psychologist.
A back seat shrink.”
“Temper,
temper girl.” Sheri said, laughing and shaking her
finger. “Could it be that you haven’t
had a man in quite some time?”
“Could it be that I
haven’t had a man in a LONG TIME?” Calen corrected.
“Look, I’m going to run
and get Ray, we’re going out tonight.
Let me know how the party goes.” Sheri said, going back upstairs.
*****************************************
When she pulled up to the
Paul’s house, she was disappointed to already find Angie’s car parked next to
his. Feeling a bit devious, she walked
along side of her car and ran her key down the nice new paint job. She giggled, knowing it wasn't nice, but she
just had to do it, besides, she couldn’t very well run the key down her FACE.
She started to knock, but decided to go right inside, since everyone was
already in there. While she didn't see
anyone right away, she took her present and slipped it behind the small couch,
out of Paul’s view. She decided that
Paul needed to open this later, and while they were alone.
She strode into the
kitchen to find Paul’s mother, Eva, busy and elbows deep in cole
slaw. When she saw Calen, she smiled
brightly.
“Calen! So glad you're here.” She said. “I would hug you, but I’m kinda
messy right now.”
“Its ok, I understand.”
She replied, hugging her anyway. “How
was your trip?”
“Great
hun. How’ve you been?” she asked. “Busy I guess?”
“Pretty
busy yes. The new movie
is taking up most of my time right now, but within the next two months, it’ll
be wrapping up.”
“Good.” Eva smiled
again.
“Can I help?”
“I think I have everything
under control, you could ask
“Hi
MOM!” Angie called out when she walked in the kitchen,
putting her arm around her. Calen could
see Eva cringe, but kept it to herself.
When Angie saw Calen, she
stopped cold. Looks like someone
didn't tell Angie I was coming…… she giggled to herself.
“Hi,
uh Calen. Paul didn't
tell me you were invited.” She said, taking time to straighten the little black
dress she was wearing. It was so low cut
that she was almost falling out of it.
“Yeah, well, it goes
without saying that I’m usually invited.” She responded, trying not to be rude,
but after all, SHE was the one that was trespassing on THEIR friendship. “Uh, nice dress……going clubbing after the party?”
“No, I just want to look
nice for Paul, after all, SOMEONE has to.” Angie
replied.
Keep talking bitch! Calen
smirked, thinking about what she did to her car.
“Just be careful not to
get a lap full of cake on it.”
“I guess so. Uh, so MOM, Paul wants to know if the cole slaw is ready.”
“Tell him that I will
bring it out shortly, its almost done.” She replied.
“Ok, I can do that.” Angie
said, bee-bopping out of the kitchen.
Eva and Calen looked at
each other for a moment.
“The girl is bizarre.” Eva
said. Calen burst out laughing. “How many procedures has that girl had done
anyway? She can’t get much bigger up
there or she’ll pop.”
“Tell me about it. Every time I see her, I think she has had
something new done. I’m not sure there
is anything left of her original parts.” Calen replied, still laughing.
“Does it bother you that
she calls you MOM?”
“Yes, but what can I say?”
Eva replied, sighing. “I just don't understand what Paul sees in her.”
“I don't either. He needs someone better…”
“Like you?”
Calen didn't say a
word.
“Tell me I’m wrong.” She
said, leaning closer to her. She wasn't
about to let this go.
“I can’t tell you that,
but how did you know?”
“It’s pretty obvious, at
least to me. You’ve been in love with
him for a long time.”
“Yes, I agree with that.”
“I had no idea I was that
transparent.” Calen mumbled.
“You aren’t, but people
who know you can sense these feelings.
You glow every time you're around him, doesn’t take a genius to see
that.”
“I think she should tell
Paul.” Eva said, half joking, half serious.
Calen shook her head. “No way! Not while
he’s dating the Plastic Princess. Let’s
just drop it.”
They all laughed. Calen helped
During dinner, Angie kept
so close to Paul that Calen, or anyone else for that matter, could even talk to
him. Calen instead spent the time
talking to Shannon and Eva, while Gene and Paul’s father, William, hung out in
the house. Calen kept looking over at
Paul, sometimes, even feeling like she was spying somehow or intruding on his
space, but she kept her distance. She sensed, a couple of times that Paul was watching her too,
but she could never catch him.
Angie had no qualms about
showing off the expensive gold watch she had given Paul for his birthday. It was large and quite gaudy, nothing like
Paul would wear, and everyone knew it, but Paul was nice enough to wear it
around to appease her.
“What does she do for a
living?” Eva asked Calen.
“She’s a swimsuit and
lingerie model.” She replied. Eva
scowled just a bit.
“No wonder he didn't tell
me.”
Calen laughed. “Yeah, she doesn’t make that much money
either, but for some reason, she thinks she has to buy expensive stuff to
impress him.”
“Then she doesn’t know him
very well does she?”
She sighed, “Apparently
not. Paul doesn’t need to be bought.”
Eva touched her hand. “Personally, I’m voting for you.”
That meant so much to
Calen, to have the endorsement of Paul’s own mother. Too bad it wouldn’t make it to Paul’s ears.
After dinner, Calen helped
“Follow me.” Angie teased,
heading out the door past the pool.
“Where are we going?” Paul
asked.
“A
place where we can be more private.” She replied, taking his
hand to lead him into the pool house.
“We really should go back, people might be looking for us.”
“Nonsense, everyone is
occupied. Please, for me?” she whined.
Paul decided not to argue,
so he went on inside with Angie. She
quickly locked the door behind them. Walking over towards the window, she
turned the lights up a bit, not enough to be bright, but not to dark. While Paul wasn't looking, she opened the
curtain. I’ll show them, and
especially Calen, who Paul loves, she thought to herself, smiling as she
embraced Paul, making sure he didn't face the window.
*********************************
After she finished another
bowl of cole slow, she got to missing Paul and
decided to go searching for him around the house. She asked around, but no one seemed to know
where he had slipped off. Finding nothing, she passed by the window and noticed
a dim light on in Paul’s pool house. Humm, it’s too cool for a swim isn’t it? She
asked herself as she walked outside. As
she approached the door, she could hear some music coming from inside. She knocked.
No answer. Surmising that the
music was too loud to hear anything, she walked to the side and was surprised
to find the window curtain wide open.
She looked in and found Paul and Angie inside kissing. Uh oh… she said to herself. She knew she needed to leave, but couldn’t
find the strength in her legs to walk away and soon found herself squatting
down in the grass behind the bushes. She
couldn’t help but stare at Paul as he kissed her. She did notice however, that his heart didn't
seem to be into being with Angie as much as she expected, but Angie didn't
care, she had her own thoughts in mind.
She walked Paul over to
the chair and sat down, reaching her hands up his leg to the zipper of his
pants. She caressed his hardness, while
looking up at him with a very hungry look in her eye. Calen understood that look very well; she
felt the same way. Slowly, he leaned down a bit and allowed Angie to take him
into her mouth. He closed his eyes and
slowly pushed and pulled himself in and out.
The more he began to moan, the more Calen moaned along with him. She concentrated solely on him and his
expressions and pretended that she was the one giving him all that pleasure.
Angie reached her hand
around and gently squeezed his balls, making Paul moan even louder and force
himself even deeper into her mouth. No
matter what Calen thought of Angie, she admired a girl who could do that. Paul, while enjoying the attention he was
receiving, seemed to be awkward in the position he was in, so he lifted Angie
up and turned around, sitting back down in the chair and allowing her to kneel
down in front of him before taking him back into her mouth once more. Paul let his head rest against the back of
the chair and he grabbed Angie by the hair, keeping full control of her movements. Calen continued to sit outside and watch, now
unaware of anything going on in the outside world. She became breathless, watching Paul receive
such pleasure. It became almost like a addictive drug, spying on Paul like she was. She laid her head gently against the glass of
the window as Paul’s pace on Angie increased.
Angie knew by now that
Calen was probably there, but she was too preoccupied to check. No matter, she was going to put on a show for
her, whether she was watching or not.
“Umm, tell me you love me
Paul.” She cooed at him at she got him ever closer to climax.
“Ummmmm,
that feels so good.” Paul said, “Don't stop……” he grabbed her hair again.
“Not till you say loudly
that you love me.” She coaxed, keeping her mouth just out of reach.
“I love you, love you.” He
said. She pulled him back into her
mouth, now satisfied that if Calen was outside, she had to have heard that.
Calen indeed heard what
Paul said, and it hurt her deep down, yet she couldn’t tear herself away from
watching. She was determined to stay
till the end, until he came.
Paul grabbed Angie by the
hair and shoved himself deep into her as he exploded. She cooed softly as she rubbed his legs,
completely sure that she had accomplished what she wanted.
Calen let out a big breath
as Paul came. She closed her eyes and
smiled, envisioning the two of them together and that he was saving his
biggest, strongest explosions just for her.
No sooner did Paul finish
climaxing, than Angie cut her eyes over to the window, right where Calen was
squatting, a sly grin coming across her face.
She now knew that Calen had been there, watching, the whole time, just
as she had hoped. Suddenly, it hit her
all at once, the realization of what she had just done. Humiliated and panic stricken, Calen found
the strength to get up and run back into the house. She shut the back door and fell against it,
fighting back tears. How stupid could
you be? She yelled at herself. How
did she know I was there? She could
hear everyone inside laughing and having a good time, and all of a sudden, she
just had to get out of there and fast.
She slipped around the side and grabbed her purse, then ran for the side
door and out to her car. She got in and
drove off before anyone even knew she was gone.
Paul and Angie walked back
in the house to rejoin the party. Angie,
hoping to see Calen’s face as she tried to hide what she had done, seemed a bit
disappointed that she wasn't in the living room. Must be in the bathroom, crying, Angie
figured, giggling to herself. Maybe
that will teach her to go after my man.
“Hey, where is Calen?”
“Humm,
something isn’t right.” Gene replied, looking out the window at the
driveway. “Her car is gone.”
“What? Why would she leave?” Paul said, walking over
to join Gene. Sure enough, her car was
gone.
“That’s not like her to
just leave without saying anything to anyone.”
“How long has she been
gone do you think?” Paul asked, but no one could answer.
“She must have left just
after we went to the pool house.” Angie lied.
She knew Calen wouldn’t dare tell anyone what she had done, knowing it
would give away her voyeurism.
“But why would she leave?”
Angie tried to think of an
answer quick. “Maybe she got a bad call
on her cell? Maybe an
emergency.”
“But even then, she would
tell us.” Gene said.
“Something happened,
something she didn't want us to know about.” Paul interrupted. He went for the phone. “I’m gonna call her
cell phone.”
Angie desperately wanted
to stop him, but she couldn’t without looking suspicious.
Paul held the phone and
dialed. He let it ring until he got her
voice mail and left a message before hanging up. He turned and looked at Gene and Shannon. “She isn’t answering.”
“That is so bizarre.”